I notice that is does not come up and go down in a straight line.
2007-03-25 13:28:27 · 6 answers · asked by jellroll a 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The rising and setting angle you see is due to your latitude. If you were observing exactly on the equator, the Sun, Moon, and stars would all set in a "straight" line. At other latitudes, the angle of an object that sets is determined primarily by your latitude, and secondarily by the declination (celestial latitude) of the object in question.
The moon orbits around the earth on a plane, which is at a 5 degree angle from the plane of the ecliptic (which is the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun).
2007-03-25 13:58:06 · answer #1 · answered by Keith P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What is your reference? Two points (coming up and going down) are always in one line! So you must be talking with reference to Zenith. What you observe is because of the angle of our equator with that of celestial equator (Zodiac) or our orbital plane. The angle of rising and setting of Moon changes according to its location in the Zodiac. Same is true for Sun also. May be you did not observe Sun.
2007-04-02 00:47:34 · answer #2 · answered by Wiser 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could say that, yes, at an angle...
Though this would not be quite the apt description but close enough...
2007-04-01 00:07:34 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it doesn't orbit in the same plane of the equator.
2007-03-25 20:32:27 · answer #4 · answered by Matthew P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, because if it wasn't, the moon occasionaly (once a month) would cause a solar or lunar eclipse
2007-04-02 17:42:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what it looks like its doing depends on where you live
2007-03-25 20:31:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋