Earth and the Environment

How is latitude determined?

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Latitude is commonly determined by means of a sextant or other instrument that measures the angle between the horizon and the sun or another celestial body, such as the North Star (see Polaris ). The latitude is then found by means of tables that give the position of the sun and other bodies for that date and hour.

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Get more facts and information about latitude . Or, view the full encyclopedia entry from The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.

Similar questions: What do tables of latitude provide? What is a sextant for? How do you find latitude with the North Star? [ Hide these questions ]

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