Ow high above the horizon the sun would be on the vernal equinox

In summary: To find these numbers, you can use the fact that on the equinox, the sun is directly overhead at the equator, and as you move one degree north, the sun is one degree lower. This applies to both the summer and winter solstices, where the sun is directly over the tropic of cancer and tropic of capricorn respectively. Drawing a diagram can help visualize this. In summary, on the vernal equinox the sun would be 55 degrees above the horizon, on the summer solstice it would be 78 degrees, and on the winter solstice it would
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Lets say for a place that is at a latitude of 55 degrees, how high above the horizon the sun would be on the vernal equinox, summer solstice and winter solstice. Any hints on how to figure this out would be helpful

I Know

Vernal Equinox-When the sun crosses the Celestial Equator moving from south declination to north declination. All places on Earth have approximately an equal number of daylight and dark hours on this date.

Summer Solstice: When the sun reaches its northern-most declination, and is directly over the Tropic of Cancer. It is the day with the longest period of daylight each year in the northern hemisphere.

Winter Solstice: When the sun reaches its southern-most declination, and is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. It is the day with the shortest period of daylight each year in the northern hemisphere.
 
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  • #2


Would the answer to Vernal equinox be 55 degrees
would the answer to summer solstice be 78 degrees
Would the answer to winter solstice be 32 degrees
 
  • #3


At the spring and autumn equinox the sun is directly overhead at the equator (so 90deg to the horizon)
As you move one degree north the sun reaches a height one degree lower (so 89deg)
and eventually at the pole it would be 90deg lower = on the horizon. (assuming a spherical Earth and neglecting refraction)

In mid summer the sun is directly over the tropic of cancer (23.5 deg north) and in winter over the tropic of capricorn (23.5 deg south of the equator)
And the same logic applies

Drawing a diagram might help

In spring the
 

1. How is the height of the sun on the vernal equinox determined?

The height of the sun on the vernal equinox is determined by the angle of the sun's rays hitting a specific location on Earth. This angle is known as the solar elevation angle and it is affected by the Earth's tilt and the position of the sun in the sky.

2. What is the significance of the vernal equinox in relation to the height of the sun?

The vernal equinox marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. It also signifies the time when the sun's path in the sky crosses the celestial equator, resulting in equal amounts of daylight and darkness.

3. How does the height of the sun on the vernal equinox vary at different locations on Earth?

The height of the sun on the vernal equinox varies depending on the latitude of a location. Locations closer to the equator will have a higher sun angle, while locations closer to the poles will have a lower sun angle. This is due to the Earth's tilt and the curvature of its surface.

4. Can the height of the sun on the vernal equinox be predicted?

Yes, the height of the sun on the vernal equinox can be predicted using mathematical calculations based on the location's latitude and the position of the sun in the sky. However, factors such as weather and atmospheric conditions can also affect the actual height of the sun.

5. How does the height of the sun on the vernal equinox impact the length of daylight?

The height of the sun on the vernal equinox plays a significant role in determining the length of daylight. In locations where the sun is higher in the sky, there will be more daylight hours, while locations with a lower sun angle will have shorter daylight hours. This is a result of the Earth's tilt and its orientation towards the sun during the vernal equinox.

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