Question

You decide to take a solo boat trip for a vacation. While contemplating the Universe, you lose track of your location. Fortunately, you have some astronomical tables and instruments, as well as a UT clock. You thereby put together the following description of your situation:

• It is the day of the summer solstice.
• The sun is on your meridian at an altitude of 75° in the south.
• The UT clock reads 22:00.

What is your latitude and longitude? Explain how you know.

Answer 1

On the basis of the above given description the latitude and longitude would be Equator and 90 degree East respectively. Because it is the summer solstice, the Sun crosses the meridian 23.5° north of the celestial equator. Thus the Sun's meridian altitude of 67.5°N tells you that the celestial equator is passing through your zenith, and hence that you are on the earth's equator. and the reason for longitude 90 degree east because the Sun is on your meridian, so it is noon for you. The UT clock reads 06:00, or 6 A.M., so Greenwich is 6 hours behind you. Each hour represents 15° of longitude, so 6 hours means 90°; you are east of Greenwich because your time is ahead.