Canadian Prime Meridian
Posted by: 
elyob
N 45° 23.614 W 075° 42.879
18T E 444061 N 5026920
The plaque is found on the south wall of the Dominion Observatory (off Carling Avenue) in Ottawa.
Waymark Code: WMDEFP
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 01/03/2012
Views: 52
Canadian Prime Meridian
Meridian Origine pour le Canada
05h 02m 51.940s
West of Greenwich
"The Dominion Observatory was founded for very pragmatic reasons. The objective was to have a longitude reference (with associated time signal) for surveying in Canada: “To open up the West”. Surveyors in the field would compare the time signal of the Dominion Observatory with their local time determined by astronomical observations - the difference corresponding to the longitude difference between Canada’s prime meridian (Dominion Observatory) and their location." [http://www.cgu-ugc.ca/newslett/Elem_Jan06_L.pdf ]
This plaque does not mark the prime meridian used by Canada's Dominion Land Survey. That meridian is just west of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Line type: Historical meridian
Tolerance: Longitude on plaque equals W 075° 42.985'
If other type, please explain.: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Post a picture of the object and tell something about your visit at site.