Quadrant to Measure the Sun's Altitude

Abstract

The changing altitude of the Sun (either over the course of a day or longer periods) is a phenomenon that students do not normally appreciate.1 However, the altitude of the Sun affects many topics in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, meteorology, navigation, or horology, such as the basis for seasons, determination of latitude and longitude, or the determination of local apparent noon. Being familiar with the motion of the Sun is important for students' understanding of these different subjects. To be able to concretely understand the Sun's altitude, a hands-on approach is necessary, because actually making observations will stay with a student much longer than reading or hearing about it.