universaltransversemercator(utm)anduniversalpolar.docVIP

NGA Coordinate Systems Analysis Team (CSAT) August 2005 Updated January 2006 GRID COORDINATES Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) Universal Polar Stereographic (UPS) United States National Grid (USNG) A simplified definition and explanation of UTM and related systems THE UTM SYSTEM UTM coordinates are based on a family of 120 Transverse Mercator map projections (two for each UTM zone, with one for each N/S hemisphere). The earth is divided into 60 zones, each 6° wide in longitude (with the exception of a few non-standard-width zones for Svalbard and southwest Norway). See Figure 1. Figure 1. Numbering of zones begins at 180° and proceeds eastward. Zone 1 is from 180°W to 174°W, Zone 2 is from 174°W to 168°W, and so on. Each zone has a central meridian. Zone 1 central meridian is 177°W, Zone 2 central meridian is 171°W, and so on. The X value, called the Easting, has a value of 500,000m at the central meridian of each zone (Figure 2). The Y value, called the Northing, has a value of 0m at the equator for the northern hemisphere (Figure 3), 10,000,000m at the equator for the southern hemisphere. Figure 2. Easting values. Figure 3. Northing values. UTM is limited to the area between 84°N and 80°S. Beyond that, Universal Polar Stereographic (UPS) coordinates are used. See section on UPS.  REFERENCING / EXPRESSING A POSITION IN UTM COORDINATES In the UTM system, positions are expressed as Easting / Northing, e.g. “580817mE, 4251205mN”. In some cases, the letters are left off, e.g. “580817 4251205”. If positions occur near UTM zone junctions, the UTM zone may also be specified, e.g. “580817mE, 4251205mN, Zone 15”. Since the above expresses two possible positions on the earth, the hemisphere may also be specified, e.g. “580817mE, 4251205mN, Zone 15, Northern Hemisphere” (Figure 4). Figure 4. Example of position expressed in both Lat/Long and UTM coordinates. Many s