125k views
4 votes
The alt-azimuth coordinates i measure for polaris are 37°, 0°. the latitude i am observing from is ____ degrees n.

User Istopopoki
by
5.3k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Answer: 37 degrees North


The alt-azimuth coordinates (also called horizontal coordinates) are coordinates centered on the Earth and describe the position of an object with respect to the local visible horizon and constantly change with time.

The Azimuth is measured from the North to the East, starting from 0 degrees in the North, 90 degrees in the East and so on. That is, it is measured in a clockwise direction.

The Altitude is measured from the horizon to the zenith, starting at 0 degrees for the horizon and 90 degrees for the zenith.

The equivalent for these coordinates are the geographic coordinates Latitude and Longitude, this means:

Azimuth is equivalent to the Longitude

Altitude is equivalent to the Latitude


In this case we have the coordinates of polaris as:

Altitude:
37\º

Azimuth:
0\º

Which is equivalent to a latitude of 37 degrees North
(37\ºN)



User LiranC
by
4.8k points