At 45 degrees north latitude, the north celestial pole
appears 45 degrees above the northern horizon.
At 45 degrees south latitude, the south celestial pole
appears 45 degrees above the southern horizon.
Latitude is not based on any celestial observation, but rather the geographical location - how far north or south the place is - with respect to the equatorial circle. You could say it is based on terrestrial observation, if you like.
Limiting latitude is the maximum distance from the equator at which a celestial body can be observed due to the Earth's rotation and tilt. Beyond this latitude, the body may not rise above the horizon or may not be visible due to atmospheric interference.
A celestial body is considered circumpolar when it never sets below the horizon as observed from a specific location on Earth. This occurs if the body's declination is always above the observer's local latitude. In practical terms, circumpolar bodies can be seen rotating around the celestial pole without ever dipping below the horizon.
No, the celestial equator does not always pass directly overhead. The position of the celestial equator in the sky is determined by the observer's latitude on Earth. If the observer is located at the equator, the celestial equator will pass directly overhead. However, for observers at different latitudes, the celestial equator will appear at an angle to the horizon.
Since Polaris is (more or less) directly over the celestial pole, for any point in the northern hemisiphere it will be a number of degrees above the (theoretical) horizon equivalent to the latitude of the location you're observing it from. Its altitude above the actual horizon may be different, due the fact that the Earth isn't a perfect sphere.
The altitude of the celestial north pole above the northern horizon is exactlythe observer's north latitude on the earth. The center of Frankfurt is very closeto 50° North latitude.
A circle through the Earth's sphere perpendicular to the observer's latitude
Latitude is not based on any celestial observation, but rather the geographical location - how far north or south the place is - with respect to the equatorial circle. You could say it is based on terrestrial observation, if you like.
Limiting latitude is the maximum distance from the equator at which a celestial body can be observed due to the Earth's rotation and tilt. Beyond this latitude, the body may not rise above the horizon or may not be visible due to atmospheric interference.
A celestial body is considered circumpolar when it never sets below the horizon as observed from a specific location on Earth. This occurs if the body's declination is always above the observer's local latitude. In practical terms, circumpolar bodies can be seen rotating around the celestial pole without ever dipping below the horizon.
Yes. For any point on Earth that is north of the equator, the north celestial pole is above the horizon.
No, the celestial equator does not always pass directly overhead. The position of the celestial equator in the sky is determined by the observer's latitude on Earth. If the observer is located at the equator, the celestial equator will pass directly overhead. However, for observers at different latitudes, the celestial equator will appear at an angle to the horizon.
Since Polaris is (more or less) directly over the celestial pole, for any point in the northern hemisiphere it will be a number of degrees above the (theoretical) horizon equivalent to the latitude of the location you're observing it from. Its altitude above the actual horizon may be different, due the fact that the Earth isn't a perfect sphere.
Polaris would be 41 degrees above the northern horizon at 41 degrees north latitude. This means it would be directly overhead, aligned with the North Celestial Pole. Polaris is often used as a reference point for navigation and stargazing due to its close alignment with the Earth's axis.
At the equator, the celestial north pole would be north, just at the horizon. In the southern hemisphere, for instance in Australia, the north celestial pole would be north, and as many degrees BELOW the horizon as your latitude. For instance, if you are 10 degrees south of the equator, the celestial north pole would be 10 degrees below the equator.On the other hand, for people in the southern hemisphere, the celestial SOUTH pole would be ABOVE the horizon; this same pole is below the horizon for anybody in the northern hemisphere.
Altitude of a celestial body is the angular distance between the horizon and the body when viewed from a specific location on Earth. It is measured in degrees and ranges from 0° at the horizon to 90° at the zenith, directly overhead.
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.