Earth Science Reference Tables Polaris

Polaris is also known as the...

• Big Dipper

• Little Dipper

• North Star

• South Star

Polaris is called the North Star because...

• It is a cold star.

• It is the brightest in the sky.

• It is located above the Earth's North Pole.

• It is only seen in the winter.

For an observer in New York State (NYS), the altitude of Polaris is 43^o above the northern horizon. This observer's latitude is closest to the latitude of

• New York City

• Plattsburgh

• Utica

• Jamestown

Which altitude of Polaris could be observed in NYS?

• 23^o

• 35^o

• 44^o

• 90^o

Which NYS city is located at 42^o39'N 73^o45'W?

• Buffalo

• Albany

• Ithaca

• Plattsburgh

How can we describe an oblate spheroid?

• Equatorial Diameter is shorter than the Polar Diameter

• Polar Diameter is shorter than the Equatorial Diameter

• Polar and Equatorial Diameter are equal

Base your answer on the map, which shows the latitude and longitude of five observers, A, B, C, D and E, on Earth. What is the altitude of Polaris (the North Star) above the northern horizon for observer A?

• 0^o

• 10^o

• 80^o

• 90^o

The angle of the star Polaris above the northern horizon can be used to determine an observer's

• solar time

• latitude

• longitude

• local time

To an observer on a ship at sea, which latitude does the North Star appear closest to the horizon?

• 5º N

• 50º N

• 20º N

• 85º N

At which location will an observer see the greatest altitude of Polaris?

• A

• B

• C

• D