Determining the Tilt of the Earth’s Axis with a Pinhole Camera

Presenter(s): Stephen Broderick

Affiliation(s): St Ursula's College, Toowoomba.

Session details: Saturday, 2020-04-11 04:00:00, SUN

Abstract

Solargraphs made with a pinhole camera show the relationship between the altitude of the Sun throughout the year at various latitudes and the tilt of the Earth’s axis. Solargraphs can also be used to determine the latitude of the solargraph’s location. This workshop will focus on constructing a solargraph and developing a model to determine the tilt of the Earth’s axis. Examples of solargraphs from various locations will also be presented.

Biography

Stephen Broderick has been a teacher of mathematics and science at St Ursula’s College for 34 years and was the mathematics coordinator for 22 years. Stephen is currently a T3 National Instructor with Texas Instruments (Teachers Teaching with Technology) and has presented workshops on STEM. He is also a Champion and a member of the STEM special interest in the National Resolve project. Stephen is passionate about the connections between Mathematics and Astronomy and is currently completing his Masters in Science majoring in Astronomy.