north celestial pole
Less than a degree from the zenith.
No, zenith and the North Star are not the same. The zenith is the point directly above an observer, whereas the North Star (Polaris) is a star located near the celestial North Pole in the Northern Hemisphere, making it useful for navigation.
That's the observer's 'zenith'. Since it's referenced to the "observer's head", each observer has a different zenith.
Your latitude is 20 degrees north of the equator because Polaris is located at the celestial north pole, which is directly above the Earth's North Pole. This means that the angle between Polaris and your zenith corresponds to your angular distance north of the equator.
If you are right at the Equator, you will not be able to see Polaris. If you could, it would be right on the horizon, but ground haze and obstructions would almost certainly hide it from view.
57.5 degrees north of your zenith.
Only if you are at the North Pole.
Less than a degree from the zenith.
the north pole
If you're standing exactly on the north Pole, then during the six months when the sun never rises, Polaris ... the "Pole" star or "North" star ... makes a tiny circle directly over your head once a day, about 1/3 of a degree from the North Celestial Pole. Everything else in the sky circles the same point once a day, but in much larger circles.
No, zenith and the North Star are not the same. The zenith is the point directly above an observer, whereas the North Star (Polaris) is a star located near the celestial North Pole in the Northern Hemisphere, making it useful for navigation.
No. It will only always be CLOSE to the zenith if you happen to be at the north pole. At other latitudes, for example if you live at 30° north latitude, it will be about 30° above the horizon (to the north), if you live at 50° north latitude, it will be about 50° above the horizon, etc.
That's the observer's 'zenith'. Since it's referenced to the "observer's head", each observer has a different zenith.
Your latitude is 20 degrees north of the equator because Polaris is located at the celestial north pole, which is directly above the Earth's North Pole. This means that the angle between Polaris and your zenith corresponds to your angular distance north of the equator.
You would be pretty darn close to the north pole. _______________________ Specifically, you would be within about 40 miles of the north pole. Polaris is about 2/3 of a degree away from being directly above the north pole.
If you are right at the Equator, you will not be able to see Polaris. If you could, it would be right on the horizon, but ground haze and obstructions would almost certainly hide it from view.
Polaris, otherwise known as the pole star or the north star, is very close to being straight up from the north pole. If you were standing right at the north pole, Polaris would be almost exactly at your zenith-- straight up.