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Created page with "thumb|300px | Rhumb line navigation path: β = constant '''Loxodromic navigation''' (from Greek ''λοξóς'', oblique, and ''δρóμος'', path) is a method of navigation by following a rhumb line, a curve on the surface of the Earth that follows the same angle at the intersection with each meridian. This serves to maintain a steady course in sailing.<ref name="WeintritNeuma..."
 
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Latest revision as of 12:43, 12 September 2025

Rhumb line navigation path: β = constant

Loxodromic navigation (from Greek λοξóς, oblique, and δρóμος, path) is a method of navigation by following a rhumb line, a curve on the surface of the Earth that follows the same angle at the intersection with each meridian. This serves to maintain a steady course in sailing.[1]

Navigating on a spherical surface with a fixed course (<math>\beta </math> in the figure) results in a spiral path that approaches the North Pole for courses ranging from 270º to 090º and the South Pole for courses from 090º to 270º. On a nautical chart plotted according to the Mercator projection, a loxodromic course appears as a straight line.

Comparison Chart

Comparison of orthodromic course (white) compared with a loxodromic course (red) in a map using Mercator projection.

See also

References

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External links