User:Vtaylor/Kids Fly

Come Fly With Me lesson revised to be used by the learner directly. A guide or facilitator help the learner.

== 48. Where on the world are we==

Concepts: Latitude, pointer stars, inclination

Objectives: To learn a method of determining the latitude of your location on the Earth: to learn a method of locating the North Star.

Materials: 1 drinking straw; protractor; piece of thread; washer or other weight; cellophane tape; magnetic compass.

Procedure: [image goes here p163]
 * 1) Tape the straw to the base of the protractor as shown in the drawing.
 * 2) Attach the thread to the center of the base of the protractor and attach the washer to the other end.
 * 3) To locate the North Star. First, locate the Big Dipper (use a compass to locate the general direction of north if needed). Next, follow an imaginary line from the two stars which form the front of the Dipper (see illustration). The first star you come to in line with the "pointer" stars is the North Star.


 * 1) Point the straw/protractor sighting device at the North Star.
 * 2) Let the thread hang loose until it stops moving.
 * 3) Hold the thread tight against the protractor and read the degrees.
 * 4) Repeat the observation at least three times and record the readings. (Use the conversion table shown or subtract the readings on the protractor from 90 to arrive at the proper latitude angle.)
 * 5) Take readings in several different locations.
 * 6) Average the readings. This should be a close approximation of the actual latitude of your area.

Extension: Use the angle of latitude to construct a sundial. The angle is the same as the angle of the gnoman on a sundial for your area.

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