Dipole model of the Earth's magnetic field (MLAT), or geomagnetic latitude, formula_10 is measured northwards from the equator (analogous to geographic latitude) and is related to formula_9 by formula_12. In this case, the radial and azimuthal components of the magnetic field (the latter still in the formula_9 direction, measured from the axis of the north pole) are given by formula_14 formula_15 formula_16 where formula_17 in this case has units of Earth radii (formula_18). Invariant latitude is a parameter that describes where a particular magnetic field line touches the surface of the Earth. It is given by formula_19 or formula_20 where formula_21 is the invariant latitude and formula_22
Latitude is more accurately modeled by an ellipsoid. The definitions of latitude and longitude on such reference surfaces are detailed in the following sections. Lines of constant latitude and longitude together constitute a graticule on the reference surface. The latitude of a point on the "actual" surface is that of the corresponding point on the reference surface, the correspondence being along the normal to the reference surface which passes through the point on the physical surface. Latitude and longitude together with some specification of height constitute a geographic coordinate system as defined in the specification of the ISO 19111 standard. Since