Conic Projections

I chose to do research on Conic Projections. After a few minutes of research I came across Polyconic Projections and I was very intrigued. As we learned in the lecture, conic projections show one or two parallels where the conic and spherical surfaces coincide. The best way to describe a polyclinic projection without using a photo can be found at www.progonos.com, "Cone constant varies from one at poles to infinity at the Equator, so the strips are not continuous, except along the central meridian. When infinitely many cones are used, each optimally tangent to a thin strip containing a single parallel, the gaps disappear; if the central meridian has constant correct scale, the result is the classic or common polyconic projection, also called American polyclinic." 


Below are images of the two:


Conic

Polyconic or American Polyconic

To sum up, the simplicity of the conic map is what first caught my attention. I had one of those "why didn't I think of that?" moments. Then I realized this form of map projection was perfected in the 1820's, and I'm a few hundred years behind. Regardless, conic map projections have proved to be very useful and are still used today.