kartoitusdatum

Kartoitusdatum refers to the date on which a polar expedition or a scientific research station in the Arctic or Antarctic regions begin to take note of the occurrences of a celestial event such as the rising of a star or the Sun above the horizon. This phenomenon is primarily used to calculate the geographical coordinates of a location.

During the polar expeditions, observers would record the time and date of the occurrence, along with the location's altitude and azimuth. Using the data collected from these observations, experts could then determine the exact location and position of the research site. This method of geographical mapping is significant during polar regions, as the terrain often lacks clear visual landmarks and other traditional navigational tools.

The collected data is compared with the calculated data of celestial bodies' movements, allowing scientists to establish the exact position of the research site on Earth. The astronomers, cartographers, and geographers would then verify the acquired data with simultaneous observations taken at additional remote locations. Once this process is done, polar explorers could compile the complete maps of the explored regions.

Throughout history, many mapping observations have been conducted using this method, and it still plays a crucial role in ongoing geographic surveys. Eric the Red, a Viking explorer, is often credited with early usage of kartoitusdatum to generate a basic map of Greenland in the 10th century.