CHARPENTIER, Fr. a carpenter.
CHART, or sea-Chart, is a hydrographical map, or a projection of some part of the earth’s superficies in plano, for the use of navigators and geographers.
Plane-Chart, is a representation of some part of the earth’s superficies of the terraqueous globe, in which the meridians are supposed parallel to each other, the parallels of latitude at equal distances, and consequently the degrees of latitude and longitude every where equal to each other.
Chart of reduction, is that where the meridians are represented by right lines, inclining towards each other; thence it appears by construction, that these charts must correct the errors of the plane ones. But since these parallels should cut the meridians at right angles, and do not, they are defective, inasmuch as they exhibit the parallels inclined to the meridians.
Mercators-Chart, is that where the meridians are straight lines parallel to each other, and equidistant: these parallels are also straight lines, and parallel to each other; but the distance between increases from the equinoctial towards each pole, in the ratio of the secant of the latitude to the radius.
Globular-Chart, a meridional projection, wherein the distance of the eye from the plane of the meridian, upon which the projection is made, is supposed to be equal to the sine of the angle of 45 degrees. This projection comes the nearest of all to the nature of the globe, because the meridians therein are placed at equal distances.
Chorographic-Charts, are descriptions of particular countries.
Heliographic-Charts, descriptions of the body of the sun, and of the maculæ or spots observed in it.
Selenographic-Charts, particular appearances of the spots of the moon, her appearance and maculæ.
Telegraphic-Charts, are descriptions of the telegraph on paper.