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Multiple Choice

What is the semi-major radius of Clarke's ellipsoid of 1866 in meters?

The semi-major radius is the equatorial radius of a reference ellipsoid. For Clarke's 1866 ellipsoid, that equatorial radius is about 6,378,206.4 meters. Among the given options, 6,378,206 meters is the closest whole-number value, so it’s the best match. Clarke 1866 also has a semi-minor axis around 6,356,583.8 meters, illustrating that the ellipsoid is slightly flattened at the poles; the semi-major axis is the larger of the two and is what’s used as the radius in the equatorial direction.

The semi-major radius is the equatorial radius of a reference ellipsoid. For Clarke's 1866 ellipsoid, that equatorial radius is about 6,378,206.4 meters. Among the given options, 6,378,206 meters is the closest whole-number value, so it’s the best match. Clarke 1866 also has a semi-minor axis around 6,356,583.8 meters, illustrating that the ellipsoid is slightly flattened at the poles; the semi-major axis is the larger of the two and is what’s used as the radius in the equatorial direction.