Read the text and answer the questions.

In geodesy, a reference ellipsoid is a mathematically defined surface that approximates the geoid, the truer figure of the Earth, or other planetary body. Because of their relative simplicity, reference ellipsoids are used as a preferred surface on which geodetic network computations are performed and point coordinates such as latitude, longitude, and elevation are defined.

In 1687 Isaac Newton published the Principia in which he included a proof that a rotating self-gravitating fluid body in equilibrium takes the form of an oblate ellipsoid of revolution which he termed an oblate spheroid. Current practice uses the word 'ellipsoid' alone in preference to the full term 'oblate ellipsoid of revolution' or the older term 'oblate spheroid'. In the rare instances (some asteroids and planets) where a more general ellipsoid shape is required as a model the term used is triaxial (or scalene) ellipsoid. A great many ellipsoids have been used with various sizes and centres but modern (post-GPS) ellipsoids are centred at the actual center of mass of the Earth or body being modeled.

The shape of an (oblate) ellipsoid (of revolution) is determined by the shape parameters of that ellipse which generates the ellipsoid when it is rotated about its minor axis. The semi-major axis of the ellipse, "a", is identified as the equatorial radius of the ellipsoid: the semi-minor axis of the ellipse, "b", is identified with the polar distances (from the centre). These two lengths completely specify the shape of the ellipsoid but in practice geodesy publications classify reference ellipsoids by giving the semi-major axis and the "inverse "flattening, , The flattening, "f", is simply a measure of how much the symmetry axis is compressed relative to the equatorial radius: For the Earth, "f" is around corresponding to a difference of the major and minor semi-axes of approximately . Some precise values are given in the table below and also in Figure of the Earth. For comparison, Earth's Moon is even less elliptical, with a flattening of less than , while Jupiter is visibly oblate at about and one of Saturn's triaxial moons, Telesto, is nearly to .

1. What is the equatorial radius of the ellipsoid called?
2. And what is the semi-minor axis?
3. Distances from where?
4. Does the Earth's moon or Jupiter have a more elliptical orbit?
5. What is a reference ellipsoid?
6. What is it?
7. Why are they a desired surface?
8. What type of computations are done on them?
9. What kind of coordinates are used from reference ellipsoids?
10. Who wrote the Principia?
11. When?
12. What term did he use there?
13. What is the current term now?
14. Where are current ellipsoids centered?

Numbered answers:
1. major axi
2. polar distances
3. centre
4. yes
5. used as a preferred surface
6. on which geodetic network computations are performed
7. relative simplicity
8. geodetic network computations
9. point coordinates
10. Isaac Newton
11. 1687
12. oblate spheroid
13. ellipsoid
14. at the actual center of mass of the Earth