GIS Dictionary >  geocentric datum

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geocentric datum

See Also: datum, GPS, horizontal geodetic datum, local datum

  1. [geodesy] A horizontal geodetic datum based on an ellipsoid that has its origin at the earth's center of mass. Examples are the World Geodetic System of 1984, the North American Datum of 1983, and the Geodetic Datum of Australia of 1994. The first uses the WGS84 ellipsoid; the latter two use the GRS80 ellipsoid. Geocentric datums are more compatible with satellite positioning systems, such as GPS, than are local datums.