Hi Jon,

Indeed, the UM global climate model, for example, assumes a spherical
earth.

In the absence of specific datum information I think I would probably
caution against assuming any particular datum is applicable. I can
understand the temptation to use WGS 1984 as a default because it is
widely known and used. However, this implies a degree of accuracy in the
coordinate data which in many instances may well not be justified -
indeed its use might even compound any relative location errors.

As you rightly suggest, if the end-use/application demands a particular
spatial accuracy then any datasets which demonstrably do not not meet
those requirements should probably not be included in the analysis - or
else should be with appropriate caveats, provisos and disclaimers!

Regards,
Phil

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] 
> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jonathan Blower
> Sent: 19 April 2010 16:23
> To: Mike Grant
> Cc: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [CF-metadata] Default datum for latitude and longitude?
> 
> Hi Mike,
> 
> Yes, that's what I've been doing so far, but I seem to 
> remember someone telling me that models tend to be formulated 
> on a spherical earth.  But maybe if the precise geolocation 
> of the model grid points is important (e.g. for small-scale 
> models) the datum will always be specified, or a different 
> projection used.
> 
> Cheers, Jon
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Grant [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: 19 April 2010 16:07
> To: Jonathan Blower
> Cc: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [CF-metadata] Default datum for latitude and longitude?
> 
> On 19/04/10 15:43, Jonathan Blower wrote:
> > specification, which datum should be assumed?  Spherical Earth?
> WGS84?
> 
> If you're picking one at random, I'd go for WGS84 - that's a 
> pretty safe bet for a lot of remote sensed and GPS related data.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Mike.
> 
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