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Two Queries from a beginner
Hi All,
I've been bashing away at this hobby for six months now. Most queries have been solved either by my prior understanding of geometry or by web research. Try as I have though, I cannot solve two questions and I've joined IceInSpace in the hope that one or several of you boffins can help.
1. How do I calculate local Midday/Zenith time? Is it midway between times for sunrise and sunset? If not where do I find a chart that tells me solar zenith times for Newcastle? I want to use the Midday shadow to mark a perfectly accurate North/South line across my deck. Every compass I've used so far only points North-ish, depending on its mood.
2. Why does the Moon "flutter"? I cannot work out why the Moon has a different elliptic across the sky every night. Doesn't the Moon orbit at right angles to the Earth's axis?
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