static function initialize()
 {
     static $_initialized = FALSE;
     if (!$_initialized) {
         $_initialized = TRUE;
         self::$_earthFlattening = 1.0 / 298.257223563;
         self::$_earthRadiusSemiMajor = 6378137.0;
         self::$_earthRadiusSemiMinor = self::$_earthRadiusSemiMajor * (1.0 - self::$_earthFlattening);
         self::$_earthEccentricitySQ = 2 * self::$_earthFlattening - pow(self::$_earthFlattening, 2);
     }
 }