🔍 Key Concepts

• Zenith is the point directly overhead an observer on Earth • Relationship between an observer's geographic latitude and the declination (distance from the celestial equator) of the zenith • How many degrees there are between the celestial equator and the celestial poles

💭 Think About

• How does your latitude in degrees north or south relate to how far your zenith is from the celestial equator? Think about whether they are equal, opposite, or complementary. • If you are at 35° N on Earth, is your zenith closer to the north celestial pole or the south celestial pole, and by how many degrees? • Since the poles are 90° from the celestial equator, what angle would place your zenith between the equator and the north celestial pole at your latitude?

✅ Before You Answer

• Confirm that zenith must be directly above the observer’s position on Earth, not at a pole unless you are physically at that pole. • Check whether the declination at your zenith should have the same sign (N/S) as your latitude. • Verify that the distance from the celestial equator plus the distance to the nearest celestial pole adds up to 90°.