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What does the earth have that allows the latitude of an observer on earth's surface to be determined by measuring altitude of Polaris?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Axial tilt.
spherical shape
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
The earth's axis of rotation is tilted relative to its orbit around the sun, causing Polaris to align with the earth's axis. When an observer measures the altitude of Polaris above the horizon, they can determine their latitude because Polaris' altitude corresponds to the observer's angular distance from the North Pole.
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How are the altitude of polaris and latitude of an observer related?
The altitude of Polaris and the latitude of an observer are directly related. The altitude of Polaris in the sky is approximately equal to the observer's latitude in the Northern Hemisphere. The higher the latitude, the higher Polaris will appear in the sky.
Which was more difficult to determine latitude or longitude and why?
Longitude was historically more difficult to determine than latitude because longitude is determined by measuring time differences between a reference point (such as Greenwich, England) and the observer's location, which required accurate timekeeping devices. Latitude, on the other hand, can be determined by measuring the angle of the North Star or the sun relative to the horizon.
How is the altitude of the North Celestial Pole above the northern horizon related to the observer's latitude?
The altitude of the North Celestial Pole above the northern horizon is equal to the observer's latitude. This means that the higher the observer's latitude, the higher the North Celestial Pole will appear in the sky. For example, an observer at a latitude of 45 degrees will see the North Celestial Pole 45 degrees above the northern horizon.
In Pennsylvania what could be the approximate lacation of an observer if he measured the altitude of Polaris to be 40 degrees?
If an observer in Pennsylvania measures the altitude of Polaris to be 40 degrees, they could be approximately 40 degrees north of the equator, which would imply a latitude close to 40 degrees north. This is because the altitude of Polaris above the horizon is equal to the observer's latitude in the Northern Hemisphere.
What is the latitude of an observer who measures an altitude of the sun above the southern horizon at 15.5(Degrees) at noon on the winter solstice?
The observer must be 15.5 degrees south of the Arctic circle, so 51.1 degrees north approximately.
What is the latitude of an observer if the altitude of polaris is 43 degrees?
The latitude of the observer is equal to the altitude of Polaris. Therefore, if the altitude of Polaris is 43 degrees, then the latitude of the observer is 43 degrees.
What would be the altitude of Polaris the North star for an observer located at 64oN latitude?
The altitude of polaris for an observer is always the same as your latitude so it would be 64oN
How are the altitude of polaris and latitude of an observer related?
The altitude of Polaris and the latitude of an observer are directly related. The altitude of Polaris in the sky is approximately equal to the observer's latitude in the Northern Hemisphere. The higher the latitude, the higher Polaris will appear in the sky.
In the northern hemisphere the altitude height in degrees above the horizon of the North Star is Always roughly equal to the?
latitude of the observer.
Which was more difficult to determine latitude or longitude and why?
Longitude was historically more difficult to determine than latitude because longitude is determined by measuring time differences between a reference point (such as Greenwich, England) and the observer's location, which required accurate timekeeping devices. Latitude, on the other hand, can be determined by measuring the angle of the North Star or the sun relative to the horizon.
How is the altitude of the North Celestial Pole above the northern horizon related to the observer's latitude?
The altitude of the North Celestial Pole above the northern horizon is equal to the observer's latitude. This means that the higher the observer's latitude, the higher the North Celestial Pole will appear in the sky. For example, an observer at a latitude of 45 degrees will see the North Celestial Pole 45 degrees above the northern horizon.
In Pennsylvania what could be the approximate lacation of an observer if he measured the altitude of Polaris to be 40 degrees?
If an observer in Pennsylvania measures the altitude of Polaris to be 40 degrees, they could be approximately 40 degrees north of the equator, which would imply a latitude close to 40 degrees north. This is because the altitude of Polaris above the horizon is equal to the observer's latitude in the Northern Hemisphere.
How the latitude of an observer may be determined by observation of the pole star?
The angle between the Pole Star and the horizon is equal to your latitude.
From latitude 35 what is the highest altitude above the noon sun?
At latitude 35 degrees, the highest altitude above the noon sun would be 55 degrees. This is because the sun's angle from the zenith at noon is equal to 90 degrees minus the observer's latitude.
What is the latitude of an observer who measures an altitude of the sun above the southern horizon at 15.5(Degrees) at noon on the winter solstice?
The observer must be 15.5 degrees south of the Arctic circle, so 51.1 degrees north approximately.
The latitude of the North Star is always equal to the altitude of the viewer?
Yes, the altitude of the North Star is equal to the observer's latitude in the Northern Hemisphere. The North Star's position in the sky is directly above the Earth's North Pole, and as you move south from the North Pole, the angle of elevation of the North Star above the horizon decreases by an amount equal to your latitude.
What is the connection between the altitude of polaris and the longitude of poughkeepsie ny?
No connection whatsoever. The altitude of Polaris as seen from anywherein the northern hemisphere is roughly equal to the observer's latitude, andis independent of longitude.
