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Chapter 2: Problem 12

How do the stars appear to move over the course of the night as seen from the north pole? As seen from the equator? Why are these two motions different?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The stars appear to move in circular paths around the North Star when viewed from the North Pole, while they move in straight lines from East to West when viewed from the equator. This difference is due to the Earth's rotation and shape.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding of celestial motion

From any point on Earth, due to its rotation, stars would appear to move across the sky. This motion is perceived as if the stars are moving from East to West when actually it's the observer on Earth who is moving due to Earth's rotation.
02

Stars' motion as seen from the North Pole

At the North Pole, an observer would see this as stars moving around Polaris, the North Star located directly overhead. This appears as circular trails around the North Star.
03

Stars' motion as seen from the Equator

From the equator, stars seem to rise directly from the East and set directly in the West. This gives a near straight trajectory of stars across the sky.
04

Reason for the difference

The different perceptions of the stars' motion from the North Pole and the Equator is due to the Earth's spherical shape and rotation. At the North Pole, you're rotating on the spot, hence stars move in circles. At the equator, you're moving at speed with the rotation of the Earth, hence stars seem to rise and set.

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