The Prime Meridian is by definition 0 degrees longitude.
So that part is a given simply because you're at the Prime Meridian.
Polaris is directly over the North axial pole. If you were at the equator, Polaris would be right at the horizon (zero degrees above the horizon). If you moved 10 degrees north, Polaris would appear above the horizon by the same amount.
So if Polaris is 50 degrees above the horizon, you must be 50 degrees north of the equator (meaning you're at 50 degrees North latitude).
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.
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.
Azimuth and altitude are essential for specifying the location of an object in the night sky because they provide a two-dimensional coordinate system based on an observer's local horizon. Azimuth indicates the compass direction (0° to 360°) from which an object is observed, while altitude measures the object's angle above the horizon (0° at the horizon to 90° at the zenith). Together, these coordinates allow for precise positioning of celestial objects relative to the observer's viewpoint on Earth. Without both coordinates, the object's location would be ambiguous.
If the altitude of Polaris is 44 degrees, this means that the observer's latitude is also 44 degrees north. This is because Polaris, the North Star, is positioned nearly directly above the North Pole, and its altitude corresponds to the observer's latitude in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, an altitude of 44 degrees indicates a geographic location at 44 degrees north latitude.
The observer must be 15.5 degrees south of the Arctic circle, so 51.1 degrees north approximately.
At the Equator.
Plattesburg;)
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.
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.
When an object crosses the meridian in the southern sky, its azimuth is typically 180 degrees. This is because the meridian represents the line that runs from north to south, and an object directly south of the observer is at an azimuth of 180 degrees. The specific altitude of the object will vary based on the time of year and the observer's latitude.
Azimuth and altitude are essential for specifying the location of an object in the night sky because they provide a two-dimensional coordinate system based on an observer's local horizon. Azimuth indicates the compass direction (0° to 360°) from which an object is observed, while altitude measures the object's angle above the horizon (0° at the horizon to 90° at the zenith). Together, these coordinates allow for precise positioning of celestial objects relative to the observer's viewpoint on Earth. Without both coordinates, the object's location would be ambiguous.
the place where someone is standing on the earth, defined by his meridian of longitude
New York City.
Jamestown
Jamestown
If the altitude of Polaris is 44 degrees, this means that the observer's latitude is also 44 degrees north. This is because Polaris, the North Star, is positioned nearly directly above the North Pole, and its altitude corresponds to the observer's latitude in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, an altitude of 44 degrees indicates a geographic location at 44 degrees north latitude.
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.