Antipode Calculator | Geocaching Distance Between Two Points

An Antipode Calculator is a antipode finder tool that determines the antipodal point on the Earth’s surface, given a specific latitude and longitude coordinate.

It essentially calculates the diametrically opposite position on the globe, forming a straight line that passes through the center of the Earth.

Antipode Calculator

Example 1: Original Latitude: 40.7128° N Original Longitude: 74.0059° W

To find the antipodal point: Antipodal Latitude = -(Original Latitude) = -(40.7128°) = -40.7128° S Antipodal Longitude = (Original Longitude ± 180°) % 360° = (74.0059° + 180°) % 360° = 254.0059° E

The antipodal point of 40.7128° N, 74.0059° W (New York City) is -40.7128° S, 254.0059° E, which is a point in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Australia.

Example 2: Original Latitude: 35.6895° N Original Longitude: 139.6917° E

To find the antipodal point: Antipodal Latitude = -(Original Latitude) = -(35.6895°) = -35.6895° S Antipodal Longitude = (Original Longitude ± 180°) % 360° = (139.6917° – 180°) % 360° = 339.6917° W

The antipodal point of 35.6895° N, 139.6917° E (Tokyo) is -35.6895° S, 339.6917° W, which is a point in the Pacific Ocean, west of Chile.

Example 3: Original Latitude: 51.5072° N Original Longitude: 0.1275° W

To find the antipodal point: Antipodal Latitude = -(Original Latitude) = -(51.5072°) = -51.5072° S Antipodal Longitude = (Original Longitude ± 180°) % 360° = (0.1275° + 180°) % 360° = 180.1275° E

The antipodal point of 51.5072° N, 0.1275° W (London) is -51.5072° S, 180.1275° E, which is a point in the Pacific Ocean, southwest of New Zealand.

Antipode Calculation Formula

The formula used to calculate the antipodal coordinates is as follows:

Antipodal Latitude = -(Original Latitude) Antipodal Longitude = (Original Longitude ± 180°) % 360°

This formula inverts the latitude and adjusts the longitude by 180 degrees, taking into account the wrap-around effect of longitudes across the 0° meridian.

Why Use Antipode Calculator?

Antipode calculators can be useful in various contexts, including:

1. Geography and Cartography: Understanding the relationship between locations on opposite sides of the globe, as well as visualizing the curvature of the Earth.
2. Navigation and Exploration: Determining the approximate direction and distance to the antipodal point, which can be valuable for maritime navigation or adventurous travel plans.
3. Education and Curiosity: Learning about the concept of antipodes and engaging in thought experiments about the interconnectedness of our planet.

What is Antipode?

An antipode is a point on the Earth’s surface that is diametrically opposite to another given point.

In other words, if you could dig a straight tunnel through the center of the Earth from one location, you would emerge at its antipodal point on the opposite side of the globe.

Antipodes are often used as a geographical curiosity and to illustrate the spherical nature of the Earth.

It’s important to note that most antipodal points fall in the oceans, as the majority of the Earth’s surface is covered by water.

Examples of Antipodes

1. Madrid, Spain (40.4168° N, 3.7038° W) and Auckland Islands, New Zealand (50.7°S, 166.1°E) The antipode of Madrid lies in the remote Auckland Islands, which are part of New Zealand’s subantarctic islands.
2. Beijing, China (39.9042° N, 116.4074° E) and Fray Bentos, Uruguay (33.1°S, 58.3°W) The antipodal point of China’s capital Beijing is located in the city of Fray Bentos, Uruguay, known for its historical meat-packing plant.
3. Bermuda Triangle (25°N, 71°W) and Southeast Indian Ocean The area known as the Bermuda Triangle in the western North Atlantic Ocean has its antipode in the Southeast Indian Ocean, southwest of Australia.
4. North Pole (90°N) and South Pole (90°S) The North Pole and South Pole are antipodal points, representing the northernmost and southernmost locations on Earth.
5. Hawaiian Islands (19.8968° N, 155.5828° W) and Botswana/Namibia Border (22.5°S, 17.5°E) The Hawaiian island chain in the Pacific Ocean has its antipode near the border between Botswana and Namibia in southern Africa.
6. Easter Island (27.1°S, 109.3°W) and Siachen Glacier, Kashmir (35.6°N, 76.9°E) The remote Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean is antipodal to the Siachen Glacier, one of the world’s highest battlegrounds, located in the disputed Kashmir region between India and Pakistan.
7. Panama Canal (9°N, 79.5°W) and South China Sea The Panama Canal, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has its antipode in the South China Sea, near the Philippines and Vietnam.
8. Antipode of Cincinnati, OH, USA (39.1031° N, 84.5120° W): 39.1031° S, 95.4880° E – In the Indian Ocean, west of Perth, Australia
9. Antipode of Mayotte (12.8275° S, 45.1662° E): 12.8275° N, 134.8338° W – In the Pacific Ocean, northwest of Mexico
10. Antipode of Manchester, UK (53.4808° N, 2.2426° W): 53.4808° S, 177.7574° W – In the Pacific Ocean, southeast of New Zealand
11. Antipode of Fukushima, Japan (37.7500° N, 140.4667° E): 37.7500° S, 219.5333° W – In the Pacific Ocean, west of Chile
12. Antipode of Melbourne, Australia (37.8136° S, 144.9631° E): 37.8136° N, 35.0369° W – In the Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina, USA

Opposite Side of the United States:

The antipodal region for the contiguous United States is primarily in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Australia. Some specific points:

1. New York City: Indian Ocean, southwest of Australia
2. Los Angeles: Indian Ocean, southwest of Perth, Australia
3. Chicago: Indian Ocean, west of Perth, Australia
4. Miami: Indian Ocean, northwest of Perth, Australia
5. The antipodes highlight how locations on opposite sides of the globe can be connected through the Earth’s spherical shape, often linking disparate regions and bodies of water.
6. Antipode of Los Angeles, CA, USA (34.0522° N, 118.2437° W): 34.0522° S, 61.7563° E – In the Indian Ocean, southwest of Perth, Australia
7. Antipode of Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA (44.5976° N, 110.5765° W): 44.5976° S, 69.4235° E – In the Indian Ocean, southwest of Perth, Australia
8. Antipode of Seattle, WA, USA (47.6062° N, 122.3321° W): 47.6062° S, 57.6679° E – In the Indian Ocean, southwest of Perth, Australia