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oblate ellipsoid

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  1. [geodesy] A figure used to approximate the true shape and size of the earth for mapping purposes. The shape of the earth approximates an oblate ellipsoid with a flattening ratio of 1 to 298.257. Often shortened to ellipsoid.

    Media/oblate-ellipsoid.gif
  2. [geometry] A slightly flattened sphere of precisely known dimensions obtained by rotating an ellipse 180 degrees about its polar axis.

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