This resulted in this line of latitude being named the Tropic of Capricorn. The name Capricorn itself comes from the Latin word caper, meaning goat and was the name given to the constellation. This was then later transferred to the Tropic of Capricorn. It should be noted, however, that because it was named over 2, years ago, the specific location of the Tropic of Capricorn today is no longer in the constellation Capricorn. Instead, it is located in the constellation Sagittarius.
In addition to being used to aid in dividing the Earth into different parts and marking the southern boundary of the tropics, the Tropic of Capricorn, like the Tropic of Cancer is also significant to the Earth's amount of solar insolation and the creation of seasons. Solar insolation is the amount of Earth's direct exposure to the sun's rays from incoming solar radiation.
It varies over the Earth's surface based on the amount of direct sunlight hitting the surface and it is mostly when it is directly overhead at the subsolar point which migrates annually between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer based on the Earth's axial tilt. When the subsolar point is at the Tropic of Capricorn, it is during the December or winter solstice and is when the southern hemisphere receives the most solar insolation.
Thus, it is also when the southern hemisphere's summer begins. Furthermore, this is also when the areas at latitudes higher than the Antarctic Circle receive 24 hours of daylight because there is more solar radiation to be deflected south due to the Earth's axial tilt. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.
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Beginner How do you measure the distance between Earth and the Sun? Ninety degrees north. The South Pole? Ninety degrees south. While you've probably heard of the North and South poles , you may not be as familiar with the other circles of latitude.
And while there aren't proper names for all of them, there are five major ones to know: the equator, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, and the Arctic and Antarctic circles. The Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer were delineated because they are both places within the hemisphere where it's possible for the sun to be directly overhead.
For ancient travelers who used the heavens to guide their way, these were crucial demarcation lines. Located at approximately The tropics account for about 36 percent of Earth, and about a third of the world's population lives in this area that includes the equator and parts of North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.
During the summer solstice around June 21 , the sun is located immediately overhead the Tropic of Cancer, making it the farthest point north on Earth where the sun is located directly above at noon.
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