Lat-Long Project Coordinates

While GPS coordinates can be written in a variety of formats, HelioScope requires decimal format for entering latitude-longitude values.

Coordinate Formatting

The preferred format for entering latitude and longitude is decimal, not degrees/minutes/seconds. In this format Southern latitudes and Western longitudes are represented as negative while Northern latitudes and Eastern longitudes are represented as positive. Examples of these two formats are given below:

  • Required format (decimal): 35.047647, -90.026060
  • Not supported format: 35°02’51.5”N 90°01’33.7”W

Finding Decimal GPS Coordinates Using Google Maps

A simple way to obtain properly formatted coordinates uses Google Maps. You can type any format coordinates into Google Maps and convert it into the recommended decimal-based formatting. The steps for finding the recommended coordinates are listed below:

  1. Find your location on Google Maps

  2. Right-click on the location and select “What’s Here”

  3. Copy the decimal-based coordinates from the information box or the address bar

Note: the correct format can be found after the “@” symbol in the address bar

The information box also has the correct format on the bottom of the page

Finding Decimal GPS Coordinates Using Google Earth

Google Earth can also provide the Lat/Long value in Decimal format. 

First, under "Preferences", select "Decimal Degrees" for the Lat/Long view format: 

Then, the Placemark will show the Lat/Long value:

Please note that you must delete the degree symbol before entering these Lat/Long values into HelioScope.