Hover or tap underlined Spanish terms to see their translation and exam tip.
Para un observador en latitud 45º S, el punto cardinal Sur se encuentra:For an observer at latitude 45º S, the South cardinal point lies:
Show the answer
Correct answer: d) On the horizon and on the observer’s lower meridian.
Why it is correct
The celestial poles Pn and Ps divide the observer’s meridian into the upper meridian (Pn–Z–Ps) and the lower meridian (Pn–Nadir–Ps). At latitude 45° S, the South celestial pole Ps is elevated 45° above the South horizon, so the South cardinal point lies below Ps between Ps and the Nadir—on the horizon and the observer’s lower meridian.
Why the others are not
- a) Only the East and West cardinal points lie on both the equator and the horizon.
- b) In South latitude, the upper meridian (Ps–Z–Pn) intersects the horizon at the North cardinal point.
- c) The South cardinal point lies on the true horizon, not on the celestial equator.
How to work it out in the exam
- In South latitude: the South cardinal point (below the elevated pole Ps) lies on the horizon and the lower meridian.
Where this question comes from
- Junta de Andalucía · 2026 · 1ª convocatoria · CY Módulo de navegación · question 6 Official paper · Official answer key
Pending instructor review. Machine translation, not reviewed.