2007-01-22 09:57:55 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The equator is the line forming the circumference of the Earth (or other astonomical object) at a distance equidistant from the two poles, where the poles are defined by the tilt of the planet or body. The equator of a planet is the region that receives the most direct sunlight from the star it orbits. That is why equatorial regions of the Earth are very warm.
2007-01-22 10:01:55 · answer #1 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Equator is an imaginary circle drawn around a planet (or other astronomical object) at a distance halfway between the poles. The equator divides the planet into a Northern Hemisphere and a Southern Hemisphere. The latitude of the equator is, by definition, 0°. The length of Earth's equator is about 40 075.0 km, or 24 901.5 miles. Exact length of equator is 40 075 016.6856 m in WGS-84, and 40 075 035.5351 m in IAU-2000.
The equator is one of the five main circles of latitude based on the relationship of the Earth's rotation and plane of orbit around the sun. Additionally, the equator is the only line of latitude which is also a great circle.
The Sun, in its seasonal movement through the sky, passes directly over the equator twice each year on the March and September Equinoxes. At the equator, the rays of the sun are perpendicular to the surface of the earth on these dates.
Places near the equator experience the quickest rates of sunrise and sunset in the world, taking minutes. Such places also have a constant amount of day/night time (12 hours of each) on every day throughout the year, as opposed to with more northerly or southerly places.
Locations near the equator are good sites for spaceports, as they are already moving faster than any other point on the Earth due to the Earth's rotation, and the added velocity reduces the amount of fuel needed to launch spacecraft.
2007-01-22 18:14:12 · answer #2 · answered by louie0894 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The equator is the imaginary line drawn around the earth at its center. It seperates the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. If you look at a map or globe, you can see the equator.
2007-01-22 18:07:17 · answer #3 · answered by Dan Q 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
An imaginary lines around the earth, equi-distance from the North and South poles. It is the 0 latitude line.
2007-01-22 18:01:45 · answer #4 · answered by Michael H 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋