Berghaus star

Classifications

interrupted
composite

Graticule

Meridians: Straight lines, broken at the equator.
Parallels: Concentric circular arcs; north pole at the center.
Poles: Points.
Symmetry: Radial about the north pole.

Aspects

Polar only.

Scale

Correct along meridians in the Northern Hemisphere and along the central meridians of triangular points in the Southern Hemisphere.

Distortion

Moderate throughout.

Other features

The Northern Hemisphere is a polar azimuthal equidistant projection. The Southern Hemisphere is divided into five equal triangular lobes.

Usage

Largely for artistic map forms. Landforms do not readily fit into the lobes or arms of the star pattern. Used for the logo of the Association of American Ceographers.

Similar projections

Petermann Star (Germany, 1865) has eight unequal points; parallels are concentric circular arcs.
Jäger Star (Austria, 1865) has eight unequal points; parallels are in straight segments.
Azimuthal equidistant is the projection for the Northern Hemisphere of the Berghaus Star.

Origin

Presented by Hermann Berghaus (1828–1890) of Germany in 1879.

Description adapted from J.P. Snyder and P.M. Voxland, An Album of Map Projections, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1453. United States Government Printing Office: 1989.