Quoted By:
Steps to get your bearing:
1. Find the celestial north pole, measure the elevation from the horizon, this is your local latitude.
2. Determine the obliquity of the ecliptic (plane of the solar system), half the arc between the solstice points. This can be measured directly with nothing more than plumb line, just take the ratio of the shadow case and the height of your index during solar noon at the solstices.
3. Along with the arc formed between the solstice points, measure the length of the longest and shortest day at the summer and winter solstice respectively.
4. From the obliquity of the ecliptic and the length of the longest (or shortest) day, calculate the ortive amplitude for your local latitude (where the sun and planets will rise and set on the horizon throughout the year.
With these three measurements (local latitude, obliquity of the ecliptic and the length of the longest (or shortest) day) the rising, rotation and setting of the heavens will be put into perspective.
