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Re: [Phys-l] Teaching elementary astronomy topics



On 11/20/2010 5:48 PM, Leigh Palmer wrote:
/snip/
Ignoring refraction, eccentricity and assuming a point Sun and spherical Earth, and using northern hemisphere nomenclature:

Let L = latitude

Let Q = obliquity of the ecliptic = 23°27'.

The declination of the Sun at the summer solstice is Q

The declination of the Sun at the winter solstice is -Q

The zenith angle of the Sun at the summer solstice is Zs = (L - Q)

The zenith angle of the Sun at the winter solstice is Zw = (L + Q)
/snip/
Leigh
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Did you intend to express the Solar Altitude
at mid Summer as a zenith angle of 90 deg - (L-Q) ??

Brian W