QuestionMay 22, 2025

What is the greatest distance (in degrees) that a star can be from Polaris and still be circumpolar as seen from Anchorage AK (latitude 60.0^circ ) square

What is the greatest distance (in degrees) that a star can be from Polaris and still be circumpolar as seen from Anchorage AK (latitude 60.0^circ ) square
What is the greatest distance (in degrees) that a star can be from Polaris and still be circumpolar as seen from Anchorage AK (latitude
60.0^circ )
square

Solution
4.5(264 votes)

Answer

120.0^\circ Explanation 1. Define Circumpolar Condition A star is circumpolar if it never sets, meaning its declination must be greater than or equal to the observer's latitude minus 90^\circ. 2. Calculate Declination Limit For Anchorage, AK at latitude 60.0^\circ, the declination limit is 60.0^\circ - 90^\circ = -30.0^\circ. Therefore, a star must have a declination greater than or equal to -30.0^\circ to be circumpolar. 3. Determine Distance from Polaris Polaris is approximately at declination 90.0^\circ. The greatest distance in declination from Polaris for a star to be circumpolar is 90.0^\circ - (-30.0^\circ) = 120.0^\circ.

Explanation

1. Define Circumpolar Condition<br /> A star is circumpolar if it never sets, meaning its declination must be greater than or equal to the observer's latitude minus $90^\circ$.<br /><br />2. Calculate Declination Limit<br /> For Anchorage, AK at latitude $60.0^\circ$, the declination limit is $60.0^\circ - 90^\circ = -30.0^\circ$. Therefore, a star must have a declination greater than or equal to $-30.0^\circ$ to be circumpolar.<br /><br />3. Determine Distance from Polaris<br /> Polaris is approximately at declination $90.0^\circ$. The greatest distance in declination from Polaris for a star to be circumpolar is $90.0^\circ - (-30.0^\circ) = 120.0^\circ$.
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