Declination Calculations

Megrez, in Ursa Major, has a declination of 57 degrees. It is observed by someone at a latitude of 52 degrees.

a)      What is the altitude (angle above the horizon) of Polaris from this latitude?

b)      What is the angle between Polaris and this persons Zenith?

c)      What is a circumpolar star?

d)      Will Megrez be circumpolar to this observer?

e)      What is the smallest declination a star could have and still be circumpolar to this observer?

Regulus, in Leo, has a declination of 12 degrees.

a)      Would it be circumpolar in Middlesbrough? (latitude = 55 degrees)

b)      Suggest a city where it would be circumpolar if observed from there.

At a certain time a star is observed directly overhead by an observer in Middlesbrough.

a)      What is this point in the sky called?

b)      What is the declination of this star?