The Big Rock Is Tilted! “What causes the tilt of the Earth's axis? Is it the result of the sun's and moon's gravity? Why is it 23.5 degrees?
This is a question that has been pondered by many scientists in the past and still in the present. The locations and gravity of the other planets, the Sun, and the Moon may have had some effect on the tilt of the Earth. However, a recent theory says that the shape of the Earth has had more of an effect on the tilt angle in the past. The shape may have been sufficiently altered by the massive ice sheets that have formed during ice ages to cause a change in the tilt. At least that is one theory. You can demonstrate this effect by adding a small piece of bubble gum to a ball (near its top but not at the pole itself); attempt to spin the ball and see what effect it has on the rotation and tilt of the ball. As ice accumulated at the North Pole and over the Northern Hemispheres during the ice ages, it may have changed the tilt in the same way, but much more slowly with time. “
At this Charro Ranch Park location you can observe (at any time of the day and year) the Earth’s own unique tilted position in the solar system. The tilt causes the seasons. No tilt, no seasons. The tilt of Uranus is 97 degrees. Imagine the seasons there! Hmmm…The Earth currently has an axial tilt of about 23.5°. The axis remains tilted in the same direction towards the stars throughout a year and this means that when a hemisphere (a northern or southern half of the earth) is pointing away from the Sun at one point in the orbit then half an orbit later (half a year later) this hemisphere will be pointing towards the Sun. This effect is the main cause of the seasons (see effect of sun angle on climate). Whichever hemisphere is currently tilted toward the Sun experiences more hours of sunlight each day, and the sunlight at midday also strikes the ground at an angle nearer the vertical and thus delivers more energy per unit surface area.
Measurement Knowledge of the obliquity of the ecliptic (e) is critical for astronomical calculations and observations from the surface of the earth (earth-based, positional astronomy). To quickly grasp an idea of its numerical value one can look at how the sun's angle above the horizon varies with the seasons. The measured difference between the angles of the Sun above the horizon at noon on the longest and shortest days of the year gives twice the obliquity. To an observer on the equator standing all year long looking above, the sun will be directly overhead at noon on the March Equinox, then swing north until it is over the Tropic of Cancer, 23° 26’ away from the equator on the Northern Solstice. On the September Equinox it will be back overhead, then swing south until it is over the Tropic of Capricorn, 23° 26’ away from the equator on the Southern Solstice. Example: an observer at 50° latitude (either north or south) will see the Sun 63° 26’ above the horizon at noon on the longest day of the year, but only 16° 34’ the shortest day. The difference is 2e = 46° 52’, and so e = 23° 26’. (90° - 50°) + 23.4394° = 63.4394° when measuring angles from the horizon (90° - 50°) - 23.4394° = 16.5606° At the Equator, this would be 90° + 23.4394° = 113.4394° and 90° - 23.4394° = 66.5606° (measuring always from the southern horizon).
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
In order to log this Earth Cache email us the answers to these 3 questions:
1. What degrees does the sun rise and set during the day of summer solstice at this location?
2. What degrees does the sun rise and set during the day of winter solstice at this location?
3. What is your altitude at this location?
Optional: Post a picture/pictures, (but not of the answers) please.
Please note: This is an Earth cache. If no answers emailed, we must delete log. Sorry.
Have fun at Charro Ranch Park!
Congrats for Deafdillos for FTF!!
