The Altitude of Polaris
Problem: How does the shape of the earth affect our view of the stars?
Hypothesis: If we travel north or south from New York City, our view of Polaris will…
____________________________________________________________
OBSERVATIONS:
Label the Big Dipper, Polaris, and Cassiopeia on the picture below:
Using a colored pencil, circle the locations we visit on Earth. Use this map to find the
latitude of each location we visit.
#1. Location: ___________________
Latitude: ___________________
#2 Location: ___________________
Latitude: ___________________
#3. Location: ___________________
Latitude: ___________________
#4 Location: ___________________
Latitude: ___________________
#5. Location: ___________________
Latitude: ___________________
#6 Location: ___________________
Latitude: ___________________
DATA TABLE OF LOCATIONS VISITED
Location
Latitude
Altitude
of Polaris
CONCLUSION
Write a summary of how this activity answers the question, “How does the shape of the earth
affect our view of the stars” Be sure to include the following:
❑
❑
❑
❑
❑
What the term “altitude” means (as an astronomy term!)
Did the data support your hypothesis? Why or why not?
How the altitude of the Polaris changes as a person moves north and south in the northern
hemisphere. Explain how this affects what a person will have to do in order to view it in
the night sky.
What the relationship is between the latitude of an observer and the altitude of Polaris
Why the shape of the earth affects our view of Polaris, and how it would be different if
we lived on a “flat” earth.