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A method of determining the North and latitude

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 September 2016

J. G. Freeman*
Affiliation:
University of Bradford

Extract

There are occasions when one needs to know the North and one’s latitude, as for example when one is constructing and orientating a sundial, or exploring in unknown terrain.

A method of obtaining this information by observing the sun is here described, which does not possess the disadvantages of that in which one observes the sun when its altitude is greatest—namely of being useless if the sun is obscured by cloud at noon or if the sun’s declination is not known. It is suitable for a classroom experiment, and is an application of stereographic projection.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Mathematical Association 1975

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References

Originally presented at a Members' Evening held by the Yorkshire Branch of the Mathematical Association at the University of Bradford in November 1972.