Space Oblique Mercator

The Space Oblique Mercator (SOM) projection is a modified cylindrical projection with the map surface defined by a satellite orbit. The SOM is an extremely complicated projection. We urge you to refer to "Map Projections a Working Manual" by Snyder for a detailed explanation.

The SOM projection was designed especially for continuous mapping of satellite imagery.

The ellipsoidal form with a non-circular satellite orbit is implemented within the Geographic Calculator.

The "Space Oblique Mercator" projection has the following parameters:

• False Northing

• False Easting

• Longitude of the Central Meridian

• Semi-major Axis of the Satellite Orbit

• Eccentricity of the Satellite Orbit

• Longitude of the Ascending Node

• Length of Time of the Earth's Rotation

• Time of Revolution of the Satellite

• Inclination of the Satellite Orbit

• Longitude of Perigee relative to the Ascending Node