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Where should be your location on Earth to see Polaris appears about 38º above your horizon?

a. North Pole.
b. Antarctica (below 61º S).
c. Sacramento, California (38º 35'N).
d. Jacksonville, Florida (30º 22' N).

User Aakinlalu
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1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

To see the North Star, Polaris, at about 38° above the horizon, one should be in Sacramento, California, where the latitude is approximately 38°N. Polaris appears at an altitude equal to the local latitude of the observer.

Step-by-step explanation:

To see Polaris, the North Star, appear about 38° above the horizon, your location on Earth should have a latitude of approximately 38°N. The correct answer to the question is c. Sacramento, California (38° 35'N). This is because the altitude of the North Celestial Pole above the horizon is equal to the observer's latitude. In Sacramento, California, the latitude is very close to 38° North, and therefore Polaris would appear approximately 38° above the northern horizon. Locations at the North Pole or in Antarctica would not provide this specific altitude for Polaris, nor would Jacksonville, Florida, which is situated at a lower latitude of 30° 22' N.

User Nightire
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