Final answer:
The latitude and longitude of Independence Hall in Philadelphia are 39°57'10" N and 75°09'00" W respectively, serving as geographic coordinates similar to the celestial coordinate system used in astronomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The latitude of Independence Hall in Philadelphia is approximately 39°57'10" N (39 degrees, 57 minutes, and 10 seconds North), and the longitude is roughly 75°09'00" W (75 degrees, 9 minutes, and 0 seconds West). Latitude measures the distance north or south from the Equator, ranging from 0° at the Equator to 90° at the poles. Longitude measures the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, passing through Greenwich, England, ranging from 0° to 180°.
Understanding latitude and longitude is essential for navigation and accurately pinpointing locations on Earth. Latitude and longitude coordinates are analogous to declination and right ascension used by astronomers to locate celestial objects. Specifically, latitude correlates with declination, while longitude relates to right ascension, both using degrees, minutes, and seconds for precision.