Re: spherical geometry

[David Bowman <David_Bowman@GEORGETOWNCOLLEGE.EDU>]

Regarding Carl's solution:

> > Painted on the concrete floor of each of the cells in the Gitmo
> > detention complex is an arrow.  Question: What direction does this
> > arrow point?
> >
> > Hint: The Naval base at Guantanamo has latitude 20.1 deg N and
> > longitude 75.1 deg W, and the Kab'bah in Mecca has latitude
> > 21.45 deg N and longitude 39.75 deg E.  (The latitude difference
> > between these 2 points is less than 1 1/2 degrees.)
>
> Using methods similar to my PDF, I find the arrow points 29.5
> degrees north of east.
>
> I'll post my formula if you confirm this answer first (cc me
> directly to avoid a one-day delay for the digest to come out). Carl

I *agree* with Carl's answer for the Guantanamo Bay location.  I
haven't checked with the imam at our local mosque here in Lexington,
KY, but the direction for the place where I live is supposed to be
38.5 deg N of E (with a great circle that passes the southern corner
of Labrador and the southern part of Ireland along the way).

David Bowman