- simple angle finder or inclinometer app
- clear northern sky
Materials Needed
Setup Steps
- Locate Polaris at night.
- Measure angle above horizon.
- Compare with your latitude.
Expected Calculation
On a globe, Polaris altitude in degrees is approximately equal to observer latitude in degrees.
Graphic
This visual shows the core geometry the experiment is testing before the real-world observation is made.
What to Observe
- Measured values are usually close within practical measurement error.
- Values change with travel north or south.
Interpretation
This direct sky geometry supports spherical-earth latitude relationships.
Sources
Evidence Card
Claim
Does Polaris altitude match observer latitude?
Model Used
The experiment’s stated geometry or physical model with fixed inputs across comparisons.
Formula
On a globe, Polaris altitude in degrees is approximately equal to observer latitude in degrees.Last Verified
2026-03-23
Assumptions
- The protocol holds location, height, and distance inputs fixed while comparing observation to prediction.
- A single ambiguous photo is not enough; repeatable measurements matter.
- Primary-source references carry more weight than generic summaries.
External Sources
A page-specific source set has not been attached yet.
What Would Falsify This Page
A repeatable observation that matched the competing model better than this experiment’s stated prediction would count against this page.