Aim: What is the relationship between latitude and Polaris? Do now: Using your ESRT write the Latitude to the nearest degree only for the following locations; a) Massena b) Ithaca c) Mt. Marcy

Polaris' altitude (height above the horizon) is equal to an observer's latitude. As your latitude North increases, the altitude of Polaris increases. Polaris’ altitude does not change when you move East or West

I. Polaris: The North Star Brightest star in the sky. Always in the Northern sky. It is the tail of the little dipper Polaris is in line with Earth’s North Pole.

Polaris Polaris 420 N Latitude Equator Equator

Polaris 900 N Latitude Equator

II. How do you find the North Star? The “pointer stars” from the big dipper point to the star Polaris.

The stars appear to rise in the Eastern sky and set in the Western sky Since Polaris is in-line with the North Pole, the other stars appear to Rotate around Polaris as Earth Rotates. The stars appear to rise in the Eastern sky and set in the Western sky Time elapsed photography

Closure 1. What is the latitude of an observer if the altitude of Polaris is 43°? A) 23 N B) 90 N C) 43 N D) 43 S Answer: C

2. A person knows he solar time on the Prime Meridian and the local solar time. What determination can be made? A) the date B) the altitude of Polaris C) the longitude at which the person is located D) the latitude at which the person is located Answer: C