Hi,
Others have explained the problems regarding seeing/identifying/using geostationary satellites to determine longitude but if you are prepared to consider alternatives, there is one that simply uses radio and a clock. Construct a device to work out local noon, like a north–south line. Time the difference between local noon, measured from the sun, and the 12 o’clock noon-GMT 'pips' broadcast on the radio from the BBC World Service. This has been a project within the UK's Open University Rough Science programme for some time, see http://www.open2.net/sciencetechnologynature/maths/measuring_latitude_and_longitude.html The question is has anyone tried it? The above site suggests that even using a pendulum to measure the time difference it can be accurate to one degree. Regards Patrick -----Original Message----- From: Brent <bren...@verizon.net> To: Sundial List <sund...@rrz.uni-koeln.de> Sent: Thu, Dec 9, 2010 3:17 pm Subject: stop the earth I have been wondering why I can determine my latitude using simple tools but not my longitude? The earth is a sphere, I would think if you can determine one you can determine both. The problem with calculating longitude seems to be the earth is rotating on its' axis. If the earth stopped spinning, the sun would not rise and set but stay put, and then I could determine the angle of the sun from my horizon and thus determine my longitude. Well that's not going to happen anytime soon. But if I could see a geostationary satellite I could essentially do the same thing don't you think? I have seen orbiting satellites at dusk many times but does anyone know if you can see geostationary satellites with the naked eye? thanks; --------------------------------------------------- https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial
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