How to Map
Satellite Telemetry Data

Instructions
The Satellite Data Mapping Charts in this lesson will help students pinpoint the eagles' locations on a map. Using the satellite data provided in each migration update, they can accurately locate birds by following the instructions on the charts provided. Using a transparency, students can draw on top of your map as they work to find the exact location. Step by step examples are also provided below.

Materials Needed


Example #1: Find the Eagle's Latitude

DATE Latitude
(A)
Eagle's Latitude
(B) (C) (D) (E)=
(C)x(D)

2/02/05

44.34 N

44 N

.34

115 mm

39.33 mm


Column A: Record latitude here.
Column B: Find the nearest latitude line south of the eagle, and record that number here. Put a transparency on top of your map. Draw a line along this latitude line.
Column C: The eagle is a fraction of a degree north of the line you just drew for B. Record the fraction as a decimal in this column.
Column D: Measure the scale of your map for latitude. Record the scale here in mm per degree latitude.
Column E: Find out how far north (in mm) the eagle is located from the latitude line you drew for (B). To do this, multiply the decimal in column C by the scale of your map D and record the product here. Now draw a line this distrance north of the line you drew for (B). The eagle is located on this latitude line.
 


Example #2: Find the Eagle's Longitude

DATE Longitude
(F)
Eagle's Longitude
(G) (H) (I) (J)=
(H)x(I)

2/02/05

75.95 W

75 W

.95

164 mm

155 mm


Column F: Record longitude here
Column G: Find the nearest longitude line east of the eagle, and record that number here. Put the transparency back on your map. Draw a line along this longitude line.
Column H: The eagle is a fraction of a degree west of the line you just drew for G. Record the fraction as a decimal in this column.
Column I: Measure the scale of your map for longitude. Record the scale here in mm per degree longitude.
Column J: Find out how far west (in mm) the eagle is located from the longitude line you drew for (G). To do this, multiply the decimal in column (H) by the scale of your map (I) and record the product here. Now draw a line this distrance west of the line you drew for (G). The eagle is located on this longitude line, exactly where it intersects the latitude line.

Note to Teachers
You may need to alter these instructions, depending on the scale of the map you use. These instructions assume your map shows increments of 1 degree. If your map is different than this, follow the basic idea but adjust your numbers accordingly.