Pages

Finding Latitude Of The Observer

On Sept. 12, at GMT 10h 35m 00s LZT in longitude 057° 58' W, the Ho of star Polaris was 35° 50'. The correction values from the Polaris Tables: Ao = 1° 22.1', A1 = 0.4', A2 = 0.9'. Find the latitude of the observer.

Given:
 
  Observed altitude (Ho) Polaris = 35° 50'
                                         Ao = 1° 22.1'
                                         A1 = 0.4'
                                         A2 = 0.9'

What is asked?

The latitude of the observer

Solution:

Add all the values from Polaris Table to the observed altitude of Polaris. And then minus 1 to get the latitude of the observer.
                  
                                 
  Observed altitude (Ho) Polaris = 35° 50'
                                         Ao = 1°   22.1'
                                         A1 =         0.4'
                                         A2 =         0.9' 
                                                  37° 13.4'
                                               -    1°          
                                                  36° 13.4' N is the latitude of the observer      

You might wonder why the sign of the latitude is N. It must be north because you can not observe Polaris in the southern hemisphere. That is, if you can see or observed polaris, know that you are at northern hemisphere.

If you find this helpful, please click the share button below to share this post to your friends. Sharing is caring...

You Might Also Like

1 comment: