Identifying Celestial Pole in Photo Taken 02/21/2010

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Discussion Overview

This discussion revolves around the identification of a celestial pole in a photograph taken on 02/21/2010. Participants explore the nature of the observed phenomenon, questioning whether it can be accurately described as the celestial pole and discussing potential atmospheric effects and optical phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that what they see in the photograph might be the celestial pole, but expresses uncertainty about this identification.
  • Another participant argues that the observed line may not be celestial at all, proposing that it could be due to atmospheric effects or lens astigmatism.
  • There are mentions of starburst effects, which could relate to the optical characteristics of the photograph.
  • A participant explains that the observed phenomenon is likely caused by water and ice crystals in the upper atmosphere refracting sunlight, rather than anything celestial.
  • One participant compares their photograph with a wiki image, suggesting that their observation aligns with the celestial pole's position from an Earth standpoint.
  • Another participant questions the existence of a physical manifestation of the celestial pole, noting that it is an abstract concept rather than a tangible axis.
  • There is curiosity expressed about the Earth's axial tilt and its relationship to the sun, with some confusion about the concept of reflection in this context.
  • A later reply reiterates that there is no reflection of the Earth's axial tilt, emphasizing that there is nothing to reflect from.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of the observed phenomenon. Multiple competing views are presented regarding whether the line in the photograph can be considered the celestial pole, with some attributing it to atmospheric effects and others to optical phenomena.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes unresolved assumptions about the nature of the celestial pole and the effects of atmospheric conditions on photographic observations. There is also ambiguity regarding the interpretation of reflections related to the Earth's axial tilt.

Vi Nguyen
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I took this picture on 02/21/2010, and I saw a line that I called it celestial pole. But I am not sure if that is what I see in the picture I took. I looked up wiki and I found that picture that the celestial pole is on the other side of the line that I see on my picture. How do I explain it that what I see on the picture I took is really the celestial pole that I saw from Earth standpoint.
 

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There is nothing "celestial" about that. It might be an effect of the atmosphere or, as far as the picture is concerned "astigmatism" in your camera lens.
 
Vi Nguyen said:
I took this picture on 02/21/2010, and I saw a line that I called it celestial pole. But I am not sure if that is what I see in the picture I took. I looked up wiki and I found that picture that the celestial pole is on the other side of the line that I see on my picture. How do I explain it that what I see on the picture I took is really the celestial pole that I saw from Earth standpoint.
What you are seeing in both of your posts is nothing more than water and ice crystals in the upper atmosphere refracting sunlight. You are not seeing anything celestial apart from the Sun's usual disc on a clear day.

-Dan
 
The reason I am thinking that I am seeing the celestial pole in the picture that I took, because when I compare my picture with wiki picture, this is what I am seeing.
I took the picture with my camera that has two lens. At the moment, I point straight at the sun to take this picture. So as it view from Earth standpoint, the celestial pole is on the other side of the Earth as the sun reflect it.
 

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If the pole were actually phyiscal then it might reflect, I suppose. But there is no physical manifestation of an axis running through the Earth.

It would be fun, though.

-Dan
 
I heard of the Earth axial tilt or obliquity and the Earth circle around the sun accordingly to the Earth axial tilt.
But I never heard of the sun has the reflection of the Earth axial tilt.
I am curious.
 
Vi Nguyen said:
I heard of the Earth axial tilt or obliquity and the Earth circle around the sun accordingly to the Earth axial tilt.
But I never heard of the sun has the reflection of the Earth axial tilt.
I am curious.
You haven't heard of it for a very good reason: There is no reflection because there isn't anything to reflect from. I have already told you this in this very thread. I don't know why you are persisting in this.

-Dan
 
  • #10
topsquark said:
What you are seeing in both of your posts is nothing more than water and ice crystals in the upper atmosphere refracting sunlight.

It was water? I thought it was fire since it was sunlight.
 

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