TWO DIFFERENT ALTITUDES!
There are two different ways the word "altitude" can be used in science!
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For each definition, describe a situations where that meaning of "altitude" would be used.
Which one is used in observing astronomy?
1. The common usage of the word "Altitude" is the DISTANCE of a point above SEA LEVEL or the ground, in units of
FEET or METERS. This type of altitude does not change.

_ _ _ _ _ __
|
/
______|____/
The mountain’s altitude is 900 meters
above sea level.
/
\
\
\_
|
The plane’s altitude is 10,000 feet.
_______|____________
2. "Altitude" can also mean the vertical ANGLE between the HORIZON (where the distant ocean or earth meets the
sky) and a POINT IN THE SKY. Units range from 0 degrees at the horizon to 90 degrees at the zenith, directly
overhead. This altitude changes according to the time and latitude of the observer.
DEFINITIONS FOR THE TEST:
altitude -- is the vertical angle of an
object, measured in degrees from the
horizon.
zenith -- the point that is straight "up" or
directly over the observer's head,
measured as 90 degrees altitude from the
horizon.
quadrant -- a navigational
instrument made from 1/4 of a
circle protractor and ranges
from 0 degrees at the horizon
to 90 degrees at zenith. It
measures altitude, a vertical
angle.
azimuth -- is the compass direction of a
celestial object. It is the horizontal angle
that begins at 0 degrees pointing North,
and increases clockwise around the
observer's horizon. So an object due
north has an azimuth of 0°, one due east
90°, south 180° and west 270°.
horizon -- is the horizontal line that
surrounds the observer where the sky
seems to meet the earth or ocean. The
horizon has an altitude of 0 degrees.
compass -- a navigational
instrument that points to the
north magnetic pole, which can
be several degrees from true
north, depending on the
location of the observer on the
earth's surface.
The Big Dipper is part of the
constellation Ursa Major. The two stars
of the Big Dipper farthest from the
handle are the pointer stars that point
directly to Polaris.
Polaris, the “pole star” is also known as
the North Star. The imaginary line that
runs through Earth's north and south poles
points to Polaris. Polaris seems to stays
in the same place in the sky while other
stars appear to "rise" and "set". The
altitude of Polaris is the same as the
observer's latitude.
North Magnetic Pole -- The
north magnetic pole of the
earth is the wandering point on
the Earth's surface that all
magnetic compasses point
towards. It is currently in
Canada.
STUDY GUIDE FOR 3/31 TEST
Match the words with their definitions:
1. Part of the constellation Ursa Major is called the _________________.
zenith
altitude
compass
0°
pointer stars
latitude
180°
Big Dipper
azimuth
Polaris
90°
North Magnetic Pole
horizon
34°
north
quadrant
2. In the Big Dipper, the two farthest stars from the handle are the _____________.
3. These stars lead directly to Polaris, and are called the ______________.
4. The North Star and the Pole Star are names for ___________.
5. The imaginary line that runs through Earth's north and south poles points to _______.
6. Like the sun and the moon, the stars appear to "rise" and "set.” However, one star
appears to stay in the same place in the sky, and is called ___________.
7. The altitude of __________ is the same as the observer's ___________.
8. In the Los Angeles area, the altitude of Polaris is _________.
9. The horizontal line that surrounds the observer is the _____________.
10. The sky seems to meet the earth or ocean at the ____________.
11. An object with an altitude of 0 degrees is at the _____________.
12. The point that is straight "up" or directly over the observer's head is the ________.
13. An object at 90 degrees altitude from the horizon is at the ____________.
14. A navigational instrument made from a quarter (1/4) circle protractor is a _________.
15. A ___________measures altitude from ___° at the _______ to ___ ° at the _______.
16. The vertical angle of an object from the horizon is the ____________.
17. The horizontal angle of an object clockwise from _______ is called the __________.
18. The compass direction measured by the 360 degrees of a circle is called the _______.
19. Starting from the reference point of north at 0 degrees, _______ increases clockwise
around the observer's horizon.
20. An object due north has an ________ of ___°, due east 90°, south ____° and west
270°.
21. A navigational instrument that always points in one direction is called a ___________.
22. The wandering point on the Earth's surface that all magnetic compasses point towards
is the ______________________.
23. Depending on the location of an observer on the earth's surface, the North Pole can be
several degrees away from the ________________.
24. The __________________ is currently in Canada, but has drifted by Alaska, Russia
and Greenland in the past.
25. Draw the Big Dipper with pointer stars leading to Polaris.
26. Describe a situation where finding the North Star would be important.
27. Describe in detail how you would use a quadrant to find your latitude.