A horizontal (geometric) datum (or reference frame) forms a basis for computations
of horizontal positions on the Earth.
It is a collection of specific points on the Earth's surface that have been accurately
identified according to their precise northerly or southerly location (latitude) and easterly
or westerly location (longitude).
To create the network of horizontal positions, surveyors marked each of the positions they
had identified with a brass, bronze, or aluminum disk known as a survey benchmark.
Because surveyors wanted to see one marked position from another, they placed benchmarks
on mountaintops or at high elevations. If they were on flat land, surveyors would have towers built
to help locate them.
To create a horizontal datum, surveyors connected these monument locations using mathematical
techniques like triangulation. The result of triangulation from the unified network of survey
monuments was the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD 27)
and later the more accurate NAD 83,
which is still used today.
NAD 27 and NAD 83 provide a frame of reference for
latitude and longitude
locations on Earth.
Geographic Coordinate Systems
Real-world objects are defined by coordinate systems. But various coordinate reference systems exist today.
In each coordinate system, we can mathematically define geographic locations
using a set of coordinate values.
A geographic coordinate system defines three-dimensional coordinates based on the Earth's surface.
It contains an angular unit of measure, prime meridian, and datum (which contains the spheroid).
LONGITUDE: X-coordinates are between -180 and +180, which are called longitudes.
LATITUDE: Y-values are between -90 and +90 degrees, which are lines of latitudes.
A datum describes the shape of the Earth.
In mathematical terms, it defines the radius, major and minor axis, and flattening for an ellipsoid.
Then, we reference all coordinates to a datum – including the one you are standing on right now.
We incorporate datums in:
EQUATOR: Horizontal datums give us the capability to measure distances
and directions across the surface of the earth. Most horizontal datums define a zero line
at the equator from which we measure north and south (latitudes).
GREENWICH MERIDIAN: There is also a zero line at the
Greenwich Meridian from which we measure
east and west (longitudes).
Together, these lines provide a reference for latitude
and longitude expressed in decimal degrees.
These latitudes and longitude positions (Geographic Coordinate Systems) are based on a spheroid
or ellipsoid surface that approximates the surface of the earth – a datum.
We reference all coordinates to a datum. A datum describes the shape of the Earth in mathematical terms.
A datum defines the following for an ellipsoid:
Radius
Inverse flattening
Semi-major axis
Semi-minor axis
For example, here is the WGS84 datum:
SEMI-MAJOR AXIS: 6,378,137.0m SEMI-MINOR AXIS: 6,356,752.3m INVERSE FLATTENING: 294.978698214
Conclusion
Coordinates reference systems, geoids,
latitudes, and longitudes, projections, datums, ellipsoids…
Every GIS analyst needs a good base understanding of what they are and how it relates to location.
Because you can't just put anything on a map without understanding its horizontal reference system.
If you're still trying to grasp a better concept, here are more articles that can help:
