You are here:
Astronomy/Seasons
Advertisement
Question
If the Earth were to be at a tilt of zero degrees would the location of the tropic of cancer become zero degrees?
Hello.
THe 'Tropic of Cancer' is defined as is the northernmost latitude at which the Sun can appear directly overhead at noon. This occurs (always in the northern hemisphere) at the time of the summer solstice, or ~ June 20-21. That the Sun can occur at this position is a direct result of the Earth's axial tilt of 23.5 degrees.
If the Earth's axis displayed zero tilt (e.g. "zero degrees") then what we call the 'Tropic of Cancer' would be coincident with the Earth's equator.
In other words, it ('Tropic of Cancer') would be totally redundant!
Related Articles
- Tropic of Cancer - Overview and Geography of the Tropic of Cancer
- The Equator, Hemispheres, Tropic of Cancer, and Tropic of Capricorn - Geography
- Tropic of Capricorn - Overview and Geography of the Tropic of Capricorn
- Fall - An Overview of the Fall, Autumn, and September Equinox
- The Solstices: Birth and Death of the Sun - Celtic Wisdom
Answers by Expert:
Philip Stahl
Expertise
I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.
Experience
Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.
Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union
Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.
Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics
Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.