Why Planes Don't Fly Straight
★Exhibit Content: Mercator projection, spherical great-circle route, geodesic geography mathematics electromechanical interactive experience ★Interaction: Button projection comparison, globe and flat map distance measurement comparison observation interaction ★Operation: 1. Observe the flat map projection on the transparent cylindrical protective cover; 2. Press the start button to compare the morphological differences between the physical globe and the cylindrical projection map; 3. Select two cities on the globe, measure the spherical great-circle distance with a tape measure and record it; 4. Select the same two cities on the flat map and measure the distance again; 5. Compare the two sets of measurement values to understand the difference between the shortest spherical route and the flat map route. ★Exhibit Description: "Why don't airplanes fly in a straight line" is a science popularization exhibit integrating geographic surveying and spherical geometry, belonging to the comprehensive exhibition area of geography and spatial geometry, and is a recommended exhibit by the PopsciCat Exhibit Store. The exhibit uses a blue and white geometric pattern sheet metal cabinet, with a hollow transparent cylindrical projection cover, flat world map, standard globe, distance measuring tape arranged in zones inside the cabinet, equipped with electronically controlled projection light source and acrylic science popularization instruction board. The device intuitively restores the principle of flat map generation through Mercator cylindrical projection. Through on-site distance measurement comparison, visitors can clearly understand that the spherical great-circle route is the shortest distance between two points on the surface, explaining the core reason why long-distance civil aviation routes appear as arcs on maps, bridging spherical geometry and real-world aviation navigation knowledge. ★Scientific Principle: 1. The Earth is approximately a sphere. Any two points on the surface and the center of the Earth form a plane. The intersection of the plane and the sphere forms a great circle. The minor arc of the great circle is the shortest path between the two points on the surface, called the great-circle route, which is also the optimal route for long-distance civil aviation; 2. Flat maps use Mercator cylindrical projection: the Earth is placed in a hollow cylinder, and a light source at the center of the Earth projects the spherical geographic outline onto the cylindrical surface. When unfolded, a flat map is obtained. The projection stretches high-latitude areas, and a straight line on the flat map is not the shortest path on the surface (rhumb line); 3. Practical aviation application: long-distance flights
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- 1.8×0.6×2.3m 1.8×0.6×2.3mDimensions (L×W×H): 1.8×0.6×2.3m Brand: Science Popularization Cat Model: PopsciCat-math-133 1. Materials ① Wall-mounted cabinet: 2mm cold-rolled steel plate bent and welded, blue and white matte baking paint, UV printing of geometric patterns on the front, rounded corners for anti-collision ② Cylindrical projection cover: colored + high-transparency acrylic material, hot bending process, smooth edges, stable structure, surface printed with projection map ③ Globe: standard teaching rotating globe, ABS base + high-definition printed spherical surface ④ Flat map: high-density board covered with waterproof geographic printing layer ⑤ Electronic components: low-voltage projection LED light source, metal self-reset start button, built-in power supply circuit ⑥ Measuring accessories: soft wear-resistant distance measuring tape ⑦ Instruction board: acrylic UV high-definition inkjet printing, printed with operation steps and great-circle route geographic principles 2. Main Configuration ① Integrated wall-mounted sheet metal display cabinet ② Custom Mercator cylindrical projection transparent acrylic cylinder by Hefei Panda ③ Standard teaching globe and flat world map by Wuhan Jiajian Chengchu ④ Electronic control system: electrical logic control system, equipped with Inertia® K1 type PLC controller with protection dedicated for science popularization exhibits 3. Exhibition Requirements ① Energy requirement: AC100-240V, 50/60Hz/200W (standard three-wire grounded socket, powering two sets of projection lights and electronic control) ② Installation foundation: placed against the wall, fixed to the wall with expansion screws ③ Entry passage: door frame size (width×height) ≥2.0m×2.5m, continuous turning interval in passage ≥2.5m ④ Maintenance passage: not required
★Exhibit Content: Mercator projection, spherical great-circle route, geodesic geography mathematics electromechanical interactive experience ★Interaction: Button projection comparison, globe and flat map distance measurement comparison observation interaction ★Operation: 1. Observe the flat map projection on the transparent cylindrical protective cover; 2. Press the start button to compare the morphological differences between the physical globe and the cylindrical projection map; 3. Select two cities on the globe, measure the spherical great-circle distance with a tape measure and record it; 4. Select the same two cities on the flat map and measure the distance again; 5. Compare the two sets of measurement values to understand the difference between the shortest spherical route and the flat map route. ★Exhibit Description: "Why don't airplanes fly in a straight line" is a science popularization exhibit integrating geographic surveying and spherical geometry, belonging to the comprehensive exhibition area of geography and spatial geometry, and is a recommended exhibit by the PopsciCat Exhibit Store. The exhibit uses a blue and white geometric pattern sheet metal cabinet, with a hollow transparent cylindrical projection cover, flat world map, standard globe, distance measuring tape arranged in zones inside the cabinet, equipped with electronically controlled projection light source and acrylic science popularization instruction board. The device intuitively restores the principle of flat map generation through Mercator cylindrical projection. Through on-site distance measurement comparison, visitors can clearly understand that the spherical great-circle route is the shortest distance between two points on the surface, explaining the core reason why long-distance civil aviation routes appear as arcs on maps, bridging spherical geometry and real-world aviation navigation knowledge. ★Scientific Principle: 1. The Earth is approximately a sphere. Any two points on the surface and the center of the Earth form a plane. The intersection of the plane and the sphere forms a great circle. The minor arc of the great circle is the shortest path between the two points on the surface, called the great-circle route, which is also the optimal route for long-distance civil aviation; 2. Flat maps use Mercator cylindrical projection: the Earth is placed in a hollow cylinder, and a light source at the center of the Earth projects the spherical geographic outline onto the cylindrical surface. When unfolded, a flat map is obtained. The projection stretches high-latitude areas, and a straight line on the flat map is not the shortest path on the surface (rhumb line); 3. Practical aviation application: long-distance flights prioritize routes close to the great-circle route to shorten the journey, while short-distance flights choose the rhumb line for simpler navigation. Therefore, aircraft routes do not appear as straight lines on flat maps.
Review
Principle Display: ★★★★ Interaction Effect: ★★★★ Ease of Installation: ★★★★ Durability: ★★★★★ Overall Rating: ★★★★