What would be the altitude of the north celestial pole if you were located at the equator?
Remember that the altitude of Polaris is 0 degrees if you are observing from the equator (0 degrees latitude) and 90 degrees if you are observing from the north pole (latitude 90 degrees), and it is also true for intermediate latitudes. So, knowing the altitude of Polaris lets you know your latitude on Earth.
Where does the north celestial pole appear in your sky?
The North Celestial Pole is 35∘ above your northern horizon. This tells you that you are at: latitude 35∘ N. In winter, Earth's axis points toward the star Polaris.
What star would be at zenith if you were standing at the north pole?
If you were standing at the Earth's north pole, the north celestial pole would lie at the zenith, the imaginary point directly over your head. The star Polaris would lie almost directly at this point.
Where would the north celestial pole be located in the sky if you were standing in San Diego San Diego’s latitude is 32.5 degrees above the equator?
The latitude in San Diego is 32∘N and the longitude is about 117∘W. Suppose that you are in San Diego, California and look at the sky. Where does the north (or south) celestial pole appear in your sky? The north celestial pole appears in San Diego 's sky at an altitude of 32 ∘ in the direction due north.
How does the altitude of the north celestial pole relate to the observer’s geographic latitude on the surface of the Earth?
How does the altitude of the north celestial pole relate to the observer's geographic latitude on the surface of the Earth? The altitude of the NCP is equal to the observer's geographic latitude. The ecliptic is inclined at 23.5 degrees to the celestial equator.
What is meant by saying the north pole is the zenith of the Northern Hemisphere?
To see the north celestial pole directly overhead, it would have to be your zenith. This can only happen at the Earth's north pole, which is located at the north celestial pole. The maximum possible elevation above the sun at that location is 23 ½ degrees because of the tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation.
What does the north celestial pole refer to?
north celestial pole in British English (nɔːθ sɪˈlɛstɪəl pəʊl ) noun. the point of intersection of the earth's extended axis and the northern half of the celestial sphere, lying about 1° from Polaris.
What is the north celestial pole called?
Polaris Polaris is located quite close to the point in the sky where the north rotational axis points – a spot called the north celestial pole. As our planet rotates through the night, the stars around the pole appear to rotate around the sky.
What is the north celestial pole quizlet?
(The north celestial pole is defined as the point in the celestial sphere directly above Earth's North Pole. So, if you are at the North Pole, the north celestial pole must be directly above your head).
What is the altitude of the north celestial pole for an observer standing on the north pole of the Earth?
In particular, the altitude of Polaris (NCP) = latitude of observer. Remember that the altitude of Polaris is 0 degrees if you are observing from the equator (0 degrees latitude) and 90 degrees if you are observing from the north pole (latitude 90 degrees), and it is also true for intermediate latitudes.
What is meant by saying the North Pole is the zenith of the Northern Hemisphere?
To see the north celestial pole directly overhead, it would have to be your zenith. This can only happen at the Earth's north pole, which is located at the north celestial pole. The maximum possible elevation above the sun at that location is 23 ½ degrees because of the tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation.
How is the altitude of the celestial equator on the local meridian related to an observer’s latitude?
Answer: In either hemisphere, the altitude of the celestial equator as it crosses the local meridian is equal to 90◦ minus the observer's latitude. In the northern hemisphere this altitude is measured off due south on the horizon. In the southern hemisphere this altitude is measured off due north on the horizon.
Where is the north celestial pole directly overhead at the zenith point?
If you were standing at Earth's North Pole, where would you see the north celestial pole relative to your zenith? (The north celestial pole is defined as the point in the celestial sphere directly above Earth's North Pole. So, if you are at the North Pole, the north celestial pole must be directly above your head).
At what latitude is the north celestial pole at your horizon?
90 degrees latitude The celestial equator intercepts the horizon at the points directly east and west anywhere on the Earth. If you joined Santa Claus last Christmas at the north pole (90 degrees latitude), you would have seen Polaris straight overhead and the celestial equator on your horizon.
Why is it called the north celestial pole?
A point in the sky that corresponds with Earth's own North Pole. Because this point always lies directly above the Earth's pole, the bright star that lies close to it, Polaris, always lies due north from an observer's point of view.
What is the point on the celestial sphere directly above the north pole?
The point directly overhead the observer is called the zenith, and the line on the celestial sphere joining the observer's zenith with the north and south celestial poles is the celestial meridian. The projection of the Earth's equator on the celestial sphere is called the celestial equator.