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How to navigate using the sun
Contributed by: Roe
  • 1. At what time of day is the sun at its highest point in the sky?
A) Solar noon
B) Sunset
C) Sunrise
D) Midnight
  • 2. What direction does the sun generally rise in?
A) South
B) West
C) East
D) North
  • 3. What direction does the sun generally set in?
A) North
B) West
C) East
D) South
  • 4. In the Northern Hemisphere, shadows cast by the sun move in what direction throughout the day?
A) North to South
B) Counter-clockwise
C) Clockwise
D) South to North
  • 5. In the Southern Hemisphere, shadows cast by the sun move in what direction throughout the day?
A) Clockwise
B) North to South
C) South to North
D) Counter-clockwise
  • 6. When using the sun as a compass, what additional tool is most helpful?
A) A telescope
B) A sextant
C) A watch
D) A map
  • 7. What is the primary limitation of using the sun for navigation?
A) Requires a compass
B) Only works at night
C) Only works at noon
D) Requires clear skies
  • 8. During the equinoxes, where does the sun rise?
A) Due West
B) Due East
C) Due South
D) Due North
  • 9. How does latitude affect the sun's path in the sky?
A) Higher latitude, higher angle
B) Higher latitude, lower angle
C) Latitude doesn't affect the angle
D) Only affects direction
  • 10. What is the approximate angle of the sun at solar noon at the equator?
A) 180 degrees
B) 90 degrees
C) 45 degrees
D) 0 degrees
  • 11. What is the term for the position of the sun in the sky?
A) Solar altitude
B) Zenith distance
C) Azimuth
D) Celestial latitude
  • 12. What is the term for the angular measurement of the sun's position along the horizon?
A) Altitude
B) Azimuth
C) Declination
D) Zenith
  • 13. How does Daylight Saving Time affect solar noon?
A) Reverses it
B) Shifts it earlier
C) No effect
D) Shifts it later
  • 14. What is the effect of the seasons on the sun's path?
A) Alters the arc of the sun
B) Only effects temperature
C) No effect
D) Only effects sunrise and sunset times
  • 15. When is the sun directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer?
A) Summer solstice
B) Autumn equinox
C) Spring equinox
D) Winter solstice
  • 16. When is the sun directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn?
A) Autumn Equinox
B) Spring Equinox
C) Summer Solstice
D) Winter Solstice
  • 17. What is a sundial used for?
A) Measuring latitude
B) Finding direction
C) Predicting weather
D) Telling time
  • 18. What celestial coordinate system is useful for predicting the suns position?
A) Horizontal Coordinate System
B) Galactic Coordinate System
C) Ecliptic Coordinate System
D) Equatorial Coordinate System
  • 19. Why is it dangerous to look directly at the sun?
A) Can damage your skin
B) Can damage your eyes
C) Can cause sunburn
D) It's bad luck
  • 20. What is the equation of time used for in sun navigation?
A) Correcting sundial time
B) Finding longitude
C) Predicting sunrise
D) Finding latitude
  • 21. How many degrees does the sun appear to move across the sky each hour?
A) 1 degree
B) 60 degrees
C) 15 degrees
D) 30 degrees
  • 22. What is the name of the point on the celestial sphere directly overhead?
A) Zenith
B) Nadir
C) Horizon
D) Equator
  • 23. Which of these is a challenge to solar navigation at sea?
A) GPS availability
B) Cloud cover
C) Constant darkness
D) Lack of maps
  • 24. What is declination in astronomical terms?
A) Horizontal distance of the sun
B) Angular distance east or west
C) Height of the sun above horizon
D) Angular distance north or south of equator
  • 25. What is necessary to determine longitude using the sun?
A) Compass
B) Star chart
C) Latitude
D) Accurate time
  • 26. The 'shadow tip' method relies on observing?
A) The shadow on a sundial
B) The shortest shadow of a vertical object
C) The shadow of a cloud
D) The darkest shadow cast
  • 27. What does the term 'solar day' refer to?
A) Time the sun is visible
B) Time it takes for the sun to orbit
C) Time from sunrise to sunset
D) Time between successive solar noons
  • 28. For accurate sun-based navigation, it's crucial to account for:
A) Number of visible stars
B) Geographic location and time of year
C) Wind speed
D) Barometric pressure
  • 29. What is the gnomen of a sundial?
A) The part that casts a shadow
B) The decorative markings
C) The base of the sundial
D) The cover of the sundial
  • 30. Why is it important to know the time zone when using the sun to navigate?
A) To determine the weather
B) Time zones change solar noon
C) For determining the season
D) Time zones have no effect
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