ARCMAP-ELLIPSOID SURFACE

ChuckTurlington

Hello,

I am using ArcMap 10.3.

I have a question about the Ellipsoids surface and what it is intended to represent.  I see reference to the ellipsoid as approximating the earths surface but I also see the Ellipsoid concept as approximating the geoid surface.  So I have to ask: is the Ellipsoid intended to approximate the topography of the earths surface or the geoid surface ?

DanPatterson_Retired

In that case you need to refer to the last link which is intended to provide more info.  I think they have moved to a more general representation that the 1927 version which was to a fixed point.

The links within Wikipedia may prove more useful, if not its description itself

North American Datum - Wikipedia