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Chapter 2: Problem 35

Imagine that you are standing on the South Pole at the time of the southern summer solstice. a. How far above the horizon will the Sun be at noon? b. How far above (or below) the horizon will the Sun be at midnight?

Short Answer

Expert verified
At noon, the Sun will be 66.5° above the horizon. At midnight, the Sun will also be 66.5° above the horizon.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the South Pole Position

At the South Pole, you are located at 90°S latitude. The position of the Sun at different times of day depends on the Earth's tilt and orbit around the Sun.
02

Determine the Sun's Position During Summer Solstice

During the southern summer solstice, around December 21, the Sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.5°S latitude. This means the Sun is at its highest point in the sky in the southern hemisphere.
03

Calculate Noon Sun Position

At noon during the southern summer solstice, the Sun's elevation angle above the horizon at the South Pole can be found by subtracting the latitude of the Tropic of Capricorn from 90°: 90° - 23.5° = 66.5°
04

Determine Midnight Sun Position

At the South Pole during the summer solstice, the Sun does not set and makes a complete 360° circle around the horizon. Therefore, the Sun's elevation at midnight will be the same as during noon: 66.5° above the horizon.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

southern summer solstice
The southern summer solstice marks the point in time when the Sun is at its highest position in the sky in the southern hemisphere. This event typically occurs around December 21. During the southern summer solstice, the tilt of Earth's axis is such that the southern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun. This means regions in the southern hemisphere experience their longest day of the year. The Sun appears to travel a longer path through the sky, making the day feel extended. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding solar elevation angles at specific locations such as the South Pole.
South Pole latitude
The South Pole is situated at 90°S latitude. This specific latitude means that it lies at the southernmost point on Earth. Since latitude affects how we perceive the Sun's position in the sky, the South Pole has unique solar patterns. During the southern summer solstice, the Sun remains above the horizon for 24 hours due to the Earth's axial tilt. This continuous sunlight is known as the 'midnight sun.' Furthermore, because of its geographic location, the South Pole experiences extreme variations in solar activity between summer and winter.
solar elevation angle
The solar elevation angle refers to the height of the Sun above the horizon. To calculate it at a specific location, you need to know the observer's latitude and the Sun's declination. For instance, at the South Pole during the southern summer solstice, the Sun's declination is 23.5°S. We can find the Sun's elevation angle at noon by subtracting the Tropic of Capricorn's latitude from 90°: 90° - 23.5° = 66.5°. Thus, the Sun is 66.5° above the horizon at noon. Interestingly, because of the continuous daylight, this elevation angle remains constant throughout the day, even at midnight.
Tropic of Capricorn
The Tropic of Capricorn is an imaginary line that circles the Earth at approximately 23.5°S latitude. It represents the southernmost point where the Sun can be directly overhead at noon. During the southern summer solstice, the Sun is positioned directly above the Tropic of Capricorn. This is why the elevation angle calculations are essential for places like the South Pole. The latitude of the Tropic of Capricorn is subtracted from 90° to determine how high the Sun will appear in the sky. This line's significance stretches beyond just geographic references; it's integral to understanding solar movements and seasonal changes in the southern hemisphere.
Earth's axial tilt
Earth's axial tilt, also known as obliquity, is approximately 23.5°. This tilt is responsible for the changing seasons and varying day lengths throughout the year. During different times of the year, this tilt causes different hemispheres to be tilted towards or away from the Sun. For the southern hemisphere, during the southern summer solstice, the tilt causes the southern end to face towards the Sun, leading to prolonged daylight. This tilt is why places like the South Pole experience 24 hours of daylight during this solstice. Understanding Earth's axial tilt is essential for grasping how the Sun's position changes in the sky over the year.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The Sun, Moon, and stars a. appear to move each day because the celestial sphere rotates about Earth. b. change their relative positions over time. c. rise north or south of west and set north or south of east, depending on their location on the celestial sphere. d. always remain in the same position relative to each other.

There is an angle between the ecliptic and the celestial equator because a. Earth's axis is tilted with respect to its orbit. b. Earth's orbit is tilted with respect to the orbits of other planets. c. the Sun follows a rising and falling path through space. d. the Sun's orbit is tilted with respect to Earth's.

The southernmost star in a group of stars known as the Southern Cross lies approximately \(65^{\circ}\) south of the celestial equator. What is the farthest-north latitude for which the entire Southern Cross is visible? Can it be seen in any U.S. states? If so, which ones?

Constellations are groups of stars that a. are close to each other in space. b. are bound to each other by gravity. c. are close to each other in Earth's sky. d. all have the same composition.

Explain how a cyclic change in Earth's tilt could affect its seasonal temperatures.
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