astronomy or math wizards? does this make sense? - GoFuckYourself.com

szango420 · 08-30-2006, 01:50 AM

Does this make sense? im trying to find the maximum altitude of the sun on the winter solstice (dec 21) at 40 degrees latitude..

MY ANSWER:
On the winter solstice the maximum altitude of the sun is at the zenith (90 degrees) at the latitude of 23.44 south. That means to find the maximum altitude of the sun at the equator you would subtract 23.44 degrees from the zenith and get 66.56 degrees. Likewise, to find the maximum altitude of the sun at latitude 40 degrees north, you would subtract 40 more degrees making the maximum altitude of the sun at the winter solstice 26.56 degrees.

08-30-2006, 01:52 AM

I predict this thread will get no replies

hjnet · 08-30-2006, 02:03 AM

Sounds right to me, considering that the distance between sun-earth is a lot bigger than their diameter.
But it's only a approximation, i.e. just imagine that the earth would have a diameter of let's say 80 million miles, then it would bring totally different results.

But as it's in reality your app. should be good enough

SomeCreep · 08-30-2006, 02:07 AM

This thread made me hungry. I think all that talk of the sun reminded me of summer BBQ's and sizzling steaks. Mmmmmmmm, steeaaaak.

teksonline · 08-30-2006, 02:58 AM

congrats you just discovered the tilted plane of the earth which is
23.5, not 23.44

notabook · 08-30-2006, 03:10 AM

Math makes me horny. Then again so does everything else. Except black people.

08-30-2006, 01:50 AM	#1
szango420 Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 244	astronomy or math wizards? does this make sense? Does this make sense? im trying to find the maximum altitude of the sun on the winter solstice (dec 21) at 40 degrees latitude.. MY ANSWER: On the winter solstice the maximum altitude of the sun is at the zenith (90 degrees) at the latitude of 23.44 south. That means to find the maximum altitude of the sun at the equator you would subtract 23.44 degrees from the zenith and get 66.56 degrees. Likewise, to find the maximum altitude of the sun at latitude 40 degrees north, you would subtract 40 more degrees making the maximum altitude of the sun at the winter solstice 26.56 degrees.

08-30-2006, 02:07 AM	#4
SomeCreep :glugglug Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Where the Wild Things Are Posts: 26,118	This thread made me hungry. I think all that talk of the sun reminded me of summer BBQ's and sizzling steaks. Mmmmmmmm, steeaaaak. __________________ Webair Hosting I use and recommend Webair for hosting.

08-30-2006, 03:10 AM	#6
notabook Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Not a Library! Posts: 9,748	Math makes me horny. Then again so does everything else. Except black people. __________________

08-30-2006, 01:52 AM	#2
Gasper Guest Posts: n/a	I predict this thread will get no replies

08-30-2006, 02:03 AM	#3
hjnet Confirmed User Join Date: May 2002 Location: European Union Posts: 3,815	Sounds right to me, considering that the distance between sun-earth is a lot bigger than their diameter. But it's only a approximation, i.e. just imagine that the earth would have a diameter of let's say 80 million miles, then it would bring totally different results. But as it's in reality your app. should be good enough

08-30-2006, 02:58 AM	#5
teksonline So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: At My Desk Posts: 2,904	congrats you just discovered the tilted plane of the earth which is 23.5, not 23.44