Reminds me of someone a year or so ago who developed a method of determining
the east of Mecca for prayer purposes regardless of how far north or south the
location of the person is. In this case, east varies quite a bit.
Another slightly off topic question your students may want to consider: if the
earth rotates west to east, one would think there is some friction between the
earth and the air causing the air to turn at a slower rate. This suggests winds
should be out of the east. However, prevailing winds are often out of the west.
Does this make sense?
________________________________
From: Beverly Stimpson <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 5:41 PM
Subject: Is East/West always at exact 'right-angles', to North/South?
Dear List Members (and experts!),
I am a new member to this Mailing List - a school-teacher who can see the
several curriculum benefits, of using sundials in (mainly Primary) schools.
One of my pupils recently asked me a question, which seemed simple - but
after thinking about it, now I am not so sure it has an obvious answer!
Basically, is geographic East/West always at exact 'right-angles' to the
direction of North/South - or is this affected by Latitude of location?
On magnetic compasses, plus most maps (depending on the projection used),
East/West is certainly at 90 degrees to North/South - but at (say) the
North and South Poles there is no East or West direction at all, or are
those locations just 'special cases' (being the exception to the rule)?
That is what made me wonder, if East/West might depend on the Latitude.
To keep things simple, I am only thinking about horizontal surfaces.
I shall look forward to your replies, explaining whether East/West is
always at 'right-angles' to North/South (or not, as the case may be).
Thanks,
Bev Stimpson.
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