Question

a) Where on Earth do you have to be in order to see the north celestial pole directly overhead? Explain your answer.

b) What is the maximum possible angle of elevation of the Sun above the horizon at that location? Explain your answer.

c) On approximately what date can this maximum elevation be observed? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

a) The north celestial pole is the imaginary point that is directly overhead of the north pole of the earth.

So, to view the north celestial pole directly overhead, we most be standing on the north pole of the earth.

b) The sun moves from 23.5 degree north to 23.5 degree south latitude and back in the span of a year.

So, the sun is closest to the north pole when it is at a latitude of 23.5 degrees north.

So, the altitude of the sun at the highest point as viewed from the north pole will be 23.5 degrees from the horizon.

c) The sun is at 23.5 degrees north on the day called summer solstice.

This day is on June 21

This is the day that is asked in the question.