Question

latitude/polaris practice
date
period

1. what is the altitude of polaris here in the bronx (approx. 42°n)?

1. what happens to the altitude of polaris as you move north in the northern hemisphere?

1. what happens to the altitude of polaris as you move south in the northern hemisphere?

1. what happens to the altitude of polaris as you move due west from the bronx to chicago?

1. if the altitude of polaris in the bronx is 42° tonight, what will it’s altitude be tomorrow night?

1. what is the altitude of polaris at the north pole?

1. what is the altitude of polaris at the equator?

1. if you cannot see polaris on a clear night, state something concerning your position on the earth’s surface?

Explanation:

Polaris's altitude equals the observer's north latitude in the Northern Hemisphere. Moving north increases latitude (and Polaris's altitude); moving south decreases it. Westward movement keeps latitude constant. Polaris's position relative to Earth is stable short-term. At the North Pole (90°N), its altitude is 90°; at the equator (0°N), it's 0°. Polaris is only visible in the Northern Hemisphere.

Answer:

1. 42°
2. It increases
3. It decreases
4. It remains the same
5. 42°
6. 90°
7. 0°
8. You are in the Southern Hemisphere (or at the equator, but typically not visible there either)