What are the Names of the Points on a Space Elevator's Path?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the naming of specific points along the path of a space elevator's counterweight as it rotates with the Earth. Participants explore the terminology used for these points, particularly focusing on the points of maximum elevation and maximum depression, as well as the orbital nodes.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants identify the 0 and 180 points as orbital nodes, specifically the ascending and descending nodes, respectively.
  • There is uncertainty regarding the formal names for the 90 and 270 points, with some suggesting they could be referred to as the point of maximum elevation and the point of maximum depression.
  • One participant expresses a desire for confirmation about the terminology for points 90 and 270, noting a lack of references found in their search.
  • Another participant admits that their recollection of the terms for points 90 and 270 may not be accurate and does not provide a reference for their claims.
  • A participant inquires whether it would be acceptable to use the terms "Maximum elevation" and "Maximum depression" in their paper.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the identification of the 0 and 180 points as orbital nodes, but there is no consensus on the terminology for the 90 and 270 points, leaving the discussion unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the formal naming conventions for points 90 and 270, and there are no definitive references provided to support the proposed terms.

Eagle9
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Good day!
On the image depicted below you see the Earth and Space Elevator, both they are tilted to plane of ecliptic at 23 degrees. The plane of ecliptic is shown as dark-green circle, Earth’s equator-grey ring and big red ring is the imaginary path drawn by the Space Elevator’s counterweight (there is inscription “Space Elevator”) at the certain altitude.

You can also see four yellow balls placed at that red ring. They are placed at some certain point of the ring, more precisely balls 0 and 180 are placed at this ring and at the plane of ecliptic at the same time, in other words they are placed exactly at the points where the red ring crosses plane of ecliptic (this can happen only at two places). Ball 90 is placed at the point where the red ring occupies the highest position in space (relative to the plane of ecliptic), ball 270-the lowest position.

I would like to know this: when I write that the Earth (with the Space Elevator) rotates around its axis the counterweight reaches these four point during 24 hours, so what do we call these points/balls? What can I write in my paper when I want to state that the counterweight reached on of these points? As far as I know balls 0 and 180 are called orbital nodes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_node), what about the points 90 and 270? :)
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/6884/15237974.jpg
 
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The 0 and 180 points are in fact called the orbital nodes - 0 would be the ascending node and 180 the descending node. If the other two have formal names, I have not been able to find them. I have sometimes heard them referred to as the point of maximum elevation and the point of maximum depression.
 
phyzguy said:
The 0 and 180 points are in fact called the orbital nodes - 0 would be the ascending node and 180 the descending node. If the other two have formal names, I have not been able to find them. I have sometimes heard them referred to as the point of maximum elevation and the point of maximum depression.

Maximum elevation
Maximum depression
It’s interesting :wink: I tried to find some information about these terms (regarding astronomy) in Wikipedia, Google but I could not, could you please tell me where did you hear/see about them?
 
No, I don't have a reference. That was just from memory and may not be accurate. But I'm sure about the other two (ascending and descending nodes).
 
phyzguy said:
No, I don't have a reference. That was just from memory and may not be accurate. But I'm sure about the other two (ascending and descending nodes).

Me too, but I would like to be sure regarding points 90 and 270 :wink:
 
What do other people in this forum say about this? Do you think that it would be OK if in my paper I write something like this: “When the Space Elevator’s counterweight reaches Maximum elevation/depression……………..” :smile:
 

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