Earth's Geographic Grid
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Astronomy
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Apr 3, 2024
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Ch. 1: Introduction to Earth
Assignment #2
Earth’s Geographic Grid
Part A: Latitude and Longitude
The Earth’s geographic grid is based on the division of a circle, which can be observed as lines of latitude
or longitude (Figure 1.1).
1.
Latitude and Longitude
(Refer to Figure 1.3 from lecture) a.
Latitude is measured to the north or south of the:
Equator
b.
Longitude is measured to the east or west of the:
Prime meridian
c.
Lines that are drawn from north to south are called:
Parallels of Longitude
d.
Lines that are drawn from east to west are called:
Meridians of Longitude
e.
The highest degree possible for a line of latitude is:
90 degrees
f.
The highest degree possible for a line of longitude is:
180 degrees
g.
In one to two sentences, describe the differences between great
and small
circles
.
2.
Distance: The Length of a Degree
. Refer to Table 1.1 from the lecture. a.
How does the length of longitudes change as latitude is increased?
b.
Calculate the distance of the Earth along the equator. Show your work.
c.
Calculate the distance of the Earth along 30°N. Show your work.
d.
Calculate the distance of the Earth along 60°S. Show your work.
Figure 1.5: Longitude Diagram to Visualize Degree Distance between Two Locations on the Same Latitude.
3.
How many miles are between 60°N, 30°W and 60°N, 50°E? Show your work.
a.
First, determine the number of degrees of longitude between these two locations (use Figure 1.5):
b.
Second, refer to Table 1.1 and multiply your answer for 5a by the longitudinal distance at
60°N:
4.
How many miles are between 30°S, 60°W and 30°S, 90°E? Show your work.
a.
First, determine the number of degrees of longitude between these two locations (use Figure 1.5):
b.
Second, refer to Table 1.1 and multiply your answer for 6a by the longitudinal distance at
30°S:
5.
Write in DMS then determine if it is a line of latitude or longitude. a.
5 degrees, 20 minutes, 30 seconds N:
b.
122 degrees, 40 seconds, and 55 minutes W:
c.
88 degrees, 55 minutes, and 12 seconds S:
d.
Correct the following errors 1.
89° 47’ 65” N
2.
62° 59’ 61” S
3.
118° 67’ 51” E
6.
Convert the following latitudes and longitudes from DMS to decimal degrees.
a.
20° 58’ 33” N
b.
04° 22’ 52” S
c.
118° 35’ 51” E
7.
Find the lat/long in decimal degrees and DMS.
a.
What are the latitude and longitude of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
1.
in Decimal Degrees?
2.
in Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds? Show your work.
b.
What are the latitude and longitude of Mt. Elbert in the Rocky Mountains?
i.
in Decimal Degrees?
ii.
in Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds? Show your work.
Part B: Earth’s Time Zones 8.
Refer to Figure 1.11 from the lecture. a.
How many time zones are shown across the map? Use Your Critical Thinking Skills: Why would there be this number of time zones?
b.
Use Your Critical Thinking Skills: The Earth rotates 15° per hour so it would make sense
that each time zone spans a distance of 15°. But the time zone boundaries are not vertical lines representing exactly 15° segments of the planet. Why do you think time zone boundaries are irregular? Explain your response in one to two sentences.
Let’s say that you are located at the noon meridian and your friend is located 1° longitude east of your location. What is the solar time at your friend’s location? Recall that 1° is worth four minutes of solar time. Also recall that locations to the east are later in time. So, your friend’s location would be 12:04 p.m.
a.
What would be the solar time of someone 1° longitude west of the noon meridian? Show your work.
b.
What would be the solar time of someone 8° longitude east of the noon meridian? Show your work.
9.
Let’s consider greater distances. Assuming that you lived along 40°W longitude, and it was solar noon (subsolar point), what would be the solar time at each of the following different locations at the same moment in time? (Hint: first calculate the total distance in degrees, then decide if the location is either westward or eastward of your location. Lastly, convert the degrees into minutes and hours, then solve). Be sure to use Figure 1.13 to help you calculate the total distance in degrees and show your work.
a.
60°W:
b.
55°E:
c.
80°W:
d.
140°E:
Figure 1.13: Longitude Diagram to Visualize Degree Distance between Two Locations on the Same Latitude.
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10.
Assuming that you lived along 50°E longitude, and it was solar noon (subsolar point), what would be the solar time at each of the following different locations at the same moment in time? Be sure to use Figure 1.14 to help you calculate the total distance in degrees and show your work.
a.
60°W:
b.
55°E:
c.
80°W:
d.
140°E:
Figure 1.14: Longitude Diagram to Visualize Degree Distance between Two Locations on the Same Latitude.