Question

A student on a distant planet observes that the stars appear to revolve around a point that is 35 degrees above the horizon. What can be inferred about the positive latitude of the student on this planet?

A) The student is located at a latitude of 35 degrees north.

B) The student is located at a latitude of 35 degrees south.

C) The latitude of the student cannot be determined based on this observation.

D) The student is located at the equator (0 degrees latitude).

Answer 1

The celestial pole's angle above the horizon is equal to an observer's latitude. Hence, a celestial pole observed at a 35-degree elevation suggests A) the student is located at a latitude of 35 degrees north.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student observes that the stars appear to revolve around a point that is 35 degrees above the horizon. This astronomical observation can be used to infer the observer’s latitude on a planet.

On Earth, the angle at which the celestial pole appears above the horizon is equal to the observer’s latitude. Given that the celestial pole is observed at a 35-degree elevation, it can be concluded that the student’s positive latitude is 35 degrees.

Therefore, if we apply this understanding to the distant planet, assuming similar celestial mechanics, we can infer that the student is located at a latitude of 35 degrees north. So, the correct answer would be A) The student is located at a latitude of 35 degrees north.