Polaris is also so called North Star because it is located exactly on 90 degree latitude. So whatever latitude you are located in the globe that will be required angle you will find Polaris. Relationship between latitude and Polaris is the greater will be the latitude the greater will be the angle and vice versa .
What is the relationship between latitude and altitude of the Polaris Why?
6 replies. Assuming you’re in the norther hemisphere, they are the same. Your latitude is exactly equal to the altitude of the the pole star . Someone one at the very top of the Earth, with a latitude of 90 degrees would see the pole star as directly above them, which corresponds to an altitude of 90 degrees.
What is the relation between a particular latitude and the angle of Polaris above the horizon?
Because the earth is spherical, the position of Polaris relative to the horizon depends on the location of the observer. Consequently, the angle between the northern horizon and Polaris is equal to the observer’s latitude .
How is Polaris used to determine latitude?
To figure out your latitude, all you have to do is estimate the angle between Polaris and the horizon due north from where you are standing . For example, at Earth’s north pole, Polaris is directly overhead, which is 90 degrees above the horizon. This is also your latitude. ... Your latitude is 0 degrees.
What is the relationship between the latitude and the angle to the north celestial pole in the northern hemisphere?
At the north pole, the latitude = 90 degrees so the stars paths make an angle of 90 minus 90 degrees = 0 degrees with respect to the horizon—i.e., they move parallel to the horizon as shown in the figure above.
What is the angle of Polaris?
Polaris is directly overhead at the North Pole ( 90° of latitude ); in other words, the angle between Polaris and the horizon at the North Pole is 90°. This angle is called “the altitude” of Polaris.
Why is Polaris the North Star?
What is the North Star? The reason Polaris is so important is because the axis of Earth is pointed almost directly at it . During the course of the night, Polaris does not rise or set, but remains in very nearly the same spot above the northern horizon year-round while the other stars circle around it.
Why is Polaris used for latitude?
Polaris is so far away (about 434 lightyears) that the rays of light approach the Earth in a parallel manner . This allows us to look at the angle between us and the star (which is the same as the angle between the horizon and the star) to locate our latitude on the Earth.
Is latitude equal to altitude of Polaris?
The altitude of Polaris above the horizon is the same as the observer’s latitude .
What is the relationship between the altitude of Polaris and the viewer’s latitude?
Polaris’ altitude is equal to your latitude .
How do you determine latitude?
Using the protractor , measure the smaller angle between the beam and the plumb line. If the sun is directly over the Equator, this is your latitude reading. The angle to measure when using the sun or North Star. Note that the horizon is always 90° to the plumb line.
How are latitude lines determined?
1 The latitude of a point on the Earth’s surface is determined by the angle (ø) between the point and the equator, passing through Earth’s center (Peter Mercator [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons). One degree of latitude is divided into 60 minutes (‘).
Is the latitude?
Latitude is the measurement of distance north or south of the Equator . It is measured with 180 imaginary lines that form circles around the Earth east-west, parallel to the Equator. These lines are known as parallels. A circle of latitude is an imaginary ring linking all points sharing a parallel.
Where in the world will Polaris have an altitude of 90 degrees?
In 12,600 years, Polaris will reach its lowest declination of 44.62°. At that time, Polaris will be visible anywhere north of 45.95° south latitude (90°–44.62°+0.57°), and our current “North Star” will grace the skies above all of Africa and Australia .
What is the declination and right ascension of the north celestial pole?
The declination of the north celestial pole is 90° 0′ 0′′ and the south celestial pole’s declination is -90° 0′ 0′′. The equator is 0° 0′ 0′′. The position of an object is stated with the right ascension first, then the declination. For example, the bright star Sirius’ position is RA: 6h45m8.
