Re: VMs: Analysis of f67v2

[Greg Stachowski <greg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005, Larry Roux wrote:

> Around here the sun rises in the SE and sets in the NW. Not quite 180 
degrees, but close.

Actually, Elmar is right. The Sun rises and sets symmetrically either side
of the meridian (the circle passing through a location and the north and
suth poles); this is simple geometry. However, if you use a compass to
determine "North" you will get asymmetrical sunrise and sunset, since the
magnetic pole is offset from the rotation axis.

Moreover, if your horizon isn't flat you will see the sun rise or set at a
different time and hence a different azimuth; this is more pronounced the
further away from the equator you are as the apparent path of the sun is
at a greater angle to the vertical.

Have a look at these pages for a more detailed explanation:

http://www.locationworks.com/sunrise/tutor.html
http://www.locationworks.com/sunrise/instruct/

(and yes, IAAA* :)

Greg

*IAAA = I _am_ an astronomer ;) **

**I haven't had time to go over Robert's analysis of f68, which is why I 
have't commented on it.
-- 
-------------------------------------o--------------=-
greg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx            __///,_    ==  
           \              \   \    o  / 'QOOO0&_ == 
           /              /   |      / 0  )OOO0@#==
          \|              | / /      \__ ,dO0@9" ===
      ....||..         ...\ | \..       `\\`       ==


______________________________________________________________________
To unsubscribe, send mail to majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxx with a body saying:
unsubscribe vms-list