Concept in Definition ABC

A planisphere is a map on which the Earth is expressed in a plane, to visualize the geography that surrounds us, bringing the culture of various peoples closer together, allowing us to observe distances, and specifying the provinces, the continents ...

Element of frequent use in the educational and scientific fields

It should be noted that the planisphere turns out to be an element of recurrent use in educational and scientific fields such as consequence of the precise information you provide us about the location of the various places that make up the land. For students and scientists it is a certainly relevant resource because it facilitates geographical study and investigation, respectively.

In the school, and more precisely in geography class, it is common for teachers to ask their students to bring a planisphere to be able to locate countries and continents, among other issues.

Now, we can find two types of planispheres, the terrestrial planisphere and the celestial planisphere.

Terrestrial planisphere: cartographic representation based on the earth's surface

The terrestrial planisphere or world map is the type that we know the most because it is precisely the most used in the teaching school. It consists of a cartographic representation based on the surface of the earth. TO scale a projection of the terrestrial sphere appears reproduced on a plane.

Meanwhile, the planispheres can show the division politics of the planet and then show us the territorial borders of the countries, the location of the continents, among others.

Alternatively, they can focus on displaying physical details, such as accidents geographical areas of the type: rivers, mountains, seas, islands, mountain ranges, glaciers, among others.

There are other planispheres that pose and show more specific questions about our planet, such as geological ones. (materials that make up the earth both internally and externally) or topographic, such as the particularities it displays a piece of land.

Celestial planisphere: a star chart that flatly represents the constellations and stars

And the celestial planisphere is a star chart that represents the constellations and stars in a flat way and therefore allows their recognition. It is made up of two adjustable discs that rotate on a common pivot. According to the adjustment that is made, it will allow us to appreciate the stars that there is a certain moment.

The astrolabe is the antecedent immediate of this type of planisphere. Fittingly, the astrolabe allowed decide the position of the stars and was widely used by navigators, astronomers and scientists.

Complete map of the world

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Photos: iStock - PeopleImages / chokkicx / iArt101

Topics in Planisphere