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Astronomy/Sun speed
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Question
I am a sculptor and I have this idea for a kinetic sculpture that the top needs to be under the sun at all time so the effect that I am trying to achieve takes place. so my idea is to create a base with a mechanism that will rotate at the same speed of the sun so the sculpture is under the sun at all times. Now since this sculpture will be taken to several shows around the country I need to adjust the position of this base according to the time of the day when the sculpture is put on the exhibition. So, my question to you what is the speed or how lon does the sun take to describe the arch between east and west. I hope I make sense with this description.
Thank you
Alfonso
Well technically speaking, unless this sculpture will only be traveling near the equator, it will never be right under the sun. The arch of the sun is different at different latitudes and at different times of the year. So no two places and dates will be the same. However, regardless of where you are, the Sun moves 15 degrees per hour in the sky.
Steve
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Answers by Expert:
Steven LJ Russo
Expertise
As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.
Experience
Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.
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