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World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84)

Abbreviation(s) and Synonym(s):

WGS-84

Definition(s):

  An Earth-centered, Earth-fixed terrestrial reference system and geodetic datum. WGS 84 is based on a consistent set of constants and model parameters that describe the Earth’s size, shape, gravity, and geomagnetic fields. WGS 84 is the standard U.S. Department of Defense definition of a global reference system for geospatial information and is the reference system for GPS. It is consistent with the International Terrestrial Reference System (ITRS).
Source(s):
NISTIR 8323 from USG FRP (2021)