Expert: Harry Hayfield - 11/14/2004

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I am an American volunteer in Namibia (southern Africa) and have recorded what I believed to be the absolute zenith of the sun as it appears to migrate daily towards the 'summer' solstice (down here).  I calculate further that this would make where I am (in the Caprivi Strip at Katima Mulilo) just about 13.25 degrees south latitude though I have read it is actually 17.78

So, am I wrong?  Is what I read wrong?  How can we be 76% (17.78/23.37)of the way to solstice (apparently) but only 57% (52/91 - as of 12 NOV) of the days to 21 Dec.?

Thanks!  I will sleep better knowing the answer to this puzzle.
Answer -
I can indeed answer this but need the following information:

a) GPS location of the Caprivi Strip at Katima Mulilo
b) height above sea level
c) time of observations

Harry -

Thanks for getting back.  I do not have my own GPS.  However, I have read I am at 17.78 (or 17.32) south latitude and 24.15 (or 24.08) east longitude.
My height above sea level is between 500 and a 1000 meters (by the way, why does this enter in to our answer??).  The time of observation was "HIGH" noon (+2 gmt).
Thanks again for helping

Answer
The GPS location that you gave me puts you about 100 miles from Victoria Falls. Is that is correct please confirm by e-mail to harry_hayfield@beeb.net and I will send you the data by reply e-mail

The height of a location does make a lot of difference to the observation of the sun (as I have found out on numerous occasions)