Fellow Shadow Watchers,
I'm so glad that I asked what seemed to be simple
question about latitude and linear distances because I have learned so
much from the erudite responses - although I must confess that some of
them leave me feeling well out of my depth.
As I recall it the TV graphic which gave rise to my query was, at best,
an oversimplification if not entirely erroneous so honour is satisfied.
On the debit side my personal concept of 'Latitude' has required a quick
overhaul in the light of the diagrams kindly supplied by Bill Gottesman
and Rudolf Hooijenga. My personal conceptualisation is mainly
'graphical' rather than 'numerical' so these did the trick for me.
As an added bonus my casual comment about the Chinese astronomical
instruments, clearly identified in Roger Bailey's posting, has inspired
me with the best possible reason for planning a visit to Beijing at some
time in the future.
Many thanks to everyone who responded.
Tony Moss
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