Astronomy Question: Maximum latitude

[mooneyes]

1. Taking the latitude of Dublin as 53.3 degrees North, and the tilt of the Earth's axis and the lunar orbit to be 23.5 and 5 degrees respectively, what is the maximum altitude of the Moon as seen from Dublin? What is the maximum altitude as seen from the North pole?



2. Homework Equations , well that's my main question about the question, as such. Are there a few formula that are generally used in basic astrophysics, like there are the equations of motion and kinetic/potential energy, et cetera for mechanics? Not only for like the question posted above, but also for other areas of astronomy, like birghtness of stars, and such? The textbooks I've looked at have had lovely long english-y paragraphs about the sun and whatnot, but I'm not sure where to find a more physics approach to the topic.



3. Thanks.

 

[astrozilla]

I think you must draw a representation of the earth,the Earth's equator ,the ecliptic the angles etc. (please look attachment)

If we suppose you are on Earth's equator then the celectial equator( which is a projection of the Earth's equator should pass through zenith.
Therefore the maximum altitude of the moon would be 90 degrees - 5 degrees =85 degrees.
If you are in dublin then
53.3-5=48.3

90-48.3=41.7 degrees ,this is the highest altitude of the moon when you are in dublin.
Finally when you are on the north pole ,the highest altitude of the moon is 5 degrees.

Not sure why should i care about the tilt of the Earth's axis,maybe i am wrong

 

[mooneyes]

Not sure why should i care about the tilt of the Earth's axis,maybe i am wrong

Well I'm glad you do care! Yes, I see, seems to be more trigonometry work than anything else, thanks.