Great Circle vs Rhumb - Distance Comparison
Compare great-circle and rhumb-line distance between two points - the standard ocean-passage routing decision.
Great-circle distance
2,657nm
Rhumb-line distance
2,738nm
Saving - GC vs RL
81nm
Formula, assumptions, and limits
$$d_{gc} = R \arccos(\sin\phi_1 \sin\phi_2 + \cos\phi_1 \cos\phi_2 \cos(\Delta\lambda))$$
GC shorter on poleward routes. Composite sailing used when GC crosses higher latitude than acceptable - sail GC to limit, parallel along limit, then GC to destination.
Symbol legend
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| $\phi_1, \phi_2$ | Latitudes | deg | chart |
| $\Delta\lambda$ | Difference of longitude | deg | chart |
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