Changes

The '''nautical mile''' is a geodetic measurement originally defined as 1 minute of arc measured along a meridian or great circle, or 1 minute of latitude<ref>http://www.onlineconversion.com/faq_07.htm</ref>. However, as we now know that the earth is not a perfect sphere the distance varies between 6067 and 6087 feet using the [[WGS84]] ellipsoid model, with an average of 6076 feet.

The '''nautical mile''' is a geodetic measurement originally defined as 1 minute of arc measured along a meridian or great circle, or 1 minute of latitude<ref>http://www.onlineconversion.com/faq_07.htm</ref>. However, as we now know that the earth is not a perfect sphere the distance varies between 6067 and 6087 feet using the [[WGS84]] ellipsoid model, with an average of 6076 feet.

In Britain the '''Admiralty nautical mile''' was defined as 6,080 feet<ref>http://www.wordwebonline.com/en/ADMIRALTYMILE</ref> (1,853.184 m) which is approximately one minute of latitude in the latitudes of the south of the UK. In the United States, the nautical mile was defined in the nineteenth century as 6,080.2 feet (1,853.249 m).  Some other countries had their own definitions of the nautical mile, but it is now internationally agreed to be exactly 1,852 metres or approximately 6,076.12 feet. The international standard was adopted by the US in 1954<ref>http://ts.nist.gov/WeightsAndMeasures/Publications/appxc.cfm#footnote12</ref> and by the UK in 1970<ref>http://www.hemyockcastle.co.uk/nautical.htm</ref>.

In Britain the '''Admiralty nautical mile''' was defined as 6,080 feet<ref>http://www.wordwebonline.com/en/ADMIRALTYMILE</ref> (1,853.184 m) which is approximately one minute of latitude in the southern latitudes of the UK. In the United States, the nautical mile was defined in the nineteenth century as 6,080.2 feet (1,853.249 m).  Some other countries had their own definitions of the nautical mile, but it is now internationally agreed to be exactly 1,852 metres or approximately 6,076.12 feet. The international standard was adopted by the US in 1954<ref>http://ts.nist.gov/WeightsAndMeasures/Publications/appxc.cfm#footnote12</ref> and by the UK in 1970<ref>http://www.hemyockcastle.co.uk/nautical.htm</ref>.

The nautical mile is used mainly for maritime and aviation purposes because of its relation to the degrees of latitude.  A '''knot''' is used to describe speed in nautical miles per hour. The term knot is sometimes erroneously used instead of nautical mile (knot being thought a diminutive of nautical).  However, the name derives from the ancient practice of throwing a log overboard with a knotted rope attached.  The knots were made at fixed intervals and as the rope was paid out the number of knots that passed through a sailor's hands in a fixed time were counted to give a measure of the speed. <ref>http://www.onlineconversion.com/faq_07.htm</ref>   

The nautical mile is used mainly for maritime and aviation purposes because of its relation to the degrees of latitude.  A '''knot''' is used to describe speed in nautical miles per hour. The term knot is sometimes erroneously used instead of nautical mile (knot being thought a diminutive of nautical).  However, the name derives from the ancient practice of throwing a log overboard with a knotted rope attached.  The knots were made at fixed intervals and as the rope was paid out the number of knots that passed through a sailor's hands in a fixed time were counted to give a measure of the speed. <ref>http://www.onlineconversion.com/faq_07.htm</ref>