Miller oblated stereographic

Parameters: East/west elliptical radius in degrees, North/south elliptical radius in degrees

Classifications

conformal

Graticule

Meridians: Complex curves.
Parallels: Complex curves.
Poles: Points.
Symmetry: About the central meridian as applied to the map of Europe and Africa. No symmetry on other prepared maps.

Scale

A line of constant scale bounds an oval region.

Distortion

Scale variations within the oval-shaped region covered are less than variations on standard conformal projections, such as an oblique Mercator or oblique Stereographic projection.

Usage

Used for an area that can be contained within an oval shape to minimize the scale distortions in the area. Applied by O.M. Miller to Africa and Europe in 1953 and to other Eastern Hemisphere regions in conjunction with several nonconformal fill-in projections in 1955. Used by L.P. Lee for the Pacific Ocean in 1974.

Similar projections

Stereographic projection has lines of constant scale that are concentric circles.

Origin

Osborn Maitland Miller (1897-1979) of the American Geographical Society in 1953.

Description adapted from J.P. Snyder and P.M. Voxland, An Album of Map Projections, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1453. United States Government Printing Office: 1989.