To determine the altitude of Polaris, you can measure the angle between the horizon and Polaris using a simple instrument like a protractor or sextant. The altitude of Polaris above the horizon corresponds closely to your latitude in the Northern Hemisphere; for example, if you measure Polaris at an angle of 40 degrees above the horizon, you are approximately at 40° latitude. This relationship occurs because Polaris is positioned nearly directly above the North Pole.
Plattesburg;)
43 degrees because the altitude of polaris is equal to the latitude of utica.
the altitude of polaris is same as the latitude of your location assuming that you are in the northern hemisphere
The altitude of Polaris in the northern hemisphere is the same as the latitude at that point on Earth. For example, if you are at 40˚N, then the altitude of Polaris would be 40.Hope I answered your question! :)
Find your latitude and that is the altitude of Polaris in the sky.
Jamestown
Jamestown
If Polaris appears 60° above the northern horizon, then you are pretty near 60° north latitude. If you're on the equator ... 0° north latitude ... then Polaris is on the horizon ... 0° altitude. If you're at the north pole ... 90° north latitude ... then Polaris is over your head ... 90° altitude. The altitude above the northern horizon at which Polaris appears is nearly identical to your north latitude. ================================================= The difference (error) between Polaris and the real North Celestial Pole is about 0.7 degree. Not good enough for precise navigation or surveying, but just fine for directions when you're hiking.
As you travel northward, the altitude of Polaris, or the North Star, increases. This is because Polaris is positioned almost directly above the North Pole, so at the North Pole, it is located directly overhead at an altitude of 90 degrees. Conversely, as you move south, the altitude of Polaris decreases.
The altitude of Polaris at the equator is 0 degrees. This means that Polaris is directly on the horizon and not visible at all from the equator. Polaris can only be seen in the northern hemisphere at latitudes above 23.5 degrees.
If the altitude of Polaris is 43 degrees above the northern horizon, then the observer is located somewhere within roughly 1/2 degree of 43 degrees north latitude.