What Is This Tool?
This tool enables the conversion of length values from furlongs, a traditional imperial unit, to Earth's polar radius, a geodetic measurement representing the distance from Earth's center to its geographic poles based on the WGS84 ellipsoid.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the length value you wish to convert in furlongs.
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Select 'furlong [fur]' as the input unit and 'Earth's polar radius' as the output unit.
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Click the convert button to see the equivalent length expressed in Earth's polar radius.
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Review provided examples for guidance and better understanding.
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Apply the converted value where geodetic scale lengths are required.
Key Features
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Converts furlongs, an imperial/US customary unit commonly used in horse racing and historic land measurement, to Earth's polar radius.
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Applies the conversion rate of 1 furlong equaling 0.0000316462 Earth's polar radius based on geodetic definitions.
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Supports applications in geodesy, mapping, satellite orbit modelling, and historical surveying contexts.
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Provides examples for clear understanding of the conversion process.
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Browser-based and user-friendly interface requiring no special software.
Examples
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10 furlongs equal 0.000316462 Earth's polar radius (10 × 0.0000316462).
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100 furlongs equal 0.00316462 Earth's polar radius (100 × 0.0000316462).
Common Use Cases
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Relating traditional horse racing or historical land measurements to global geodetic scales.
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Integrating old surveying or legal property lengths with modern GPS and mapping frameworks.
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Supporting geodesy and cartography projects requiring conversion between localized and Earth reference units.
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Assisting satellite orbit modelling and interpretation of Earth-shape data using consistent length units.
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure the usage of the WGS84 ellipsoid model assumptions when applying Earth's polar radius for accuracy.
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Use this conversion primarily for historic or traditional contexts given the rarity of furlong in scientific work.
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Be aware that outputs are very small fractions due to the large scale of Earth's polar radius unit.
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Cross-check original measurements in furlongs before conversion to avoid errors.
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Apply converted values thoughtfully within geodetic or cartographic analyses where applicable.
Limitations
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Furlong is an outdated unit mostly limited to historical or sporting references, thus uncommon in scientific fields.
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Earth's polar radius is an extremely large measurement unit, leading to very small fractional conversion results.
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Conversion precision depends on the geodetic reference ellipsoid; WGS84 is standard but other systems vary slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a furlong used for today?
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A furlong is mainly used in horse racing distances and some traditional land measurement contexts but is uncommon in modern science.
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Why convert furlongs to Earth's polar radius?
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Converting furlongs to Earth's polar radius helps relate traditional length measurements to global geodetic scales used in mapping and satellite studies.
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Is Earth's polar radius a precise measurement?
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Earth's polar radius is defined based on geodetic reference ellipsoids like WGS84, providing a standard length though minor variations exist in other models.
Key Terminology
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Furlong [fur]
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An imperial unit of length equal to 220 yards or exactly 201.168 metres, historically used for measuring distances in horse racing and land.
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Earth's Polar Radius
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The distance from Earth's center to a geographic pole along the rotation axis, representing the semi-minor axis of the WGS84 reference ellipsoid.
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WGS84
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A widely used geodetic reference ellipsoid model defining Earth's shape and size for mapping and satellite data.