Print a Sunchart: Go to the University of Oregon Solar Radiation Monitoring Laboratory [1]web page and download a pdf sunchart for (1) State College, PA, and (2) for where you live.
While you work through these steps, try to think about all the calculations that went into each plotted point for the print out. You should reflect on the fact that the Sun Chart tool is simply plotting points and lines based on solar calculations of time and longitude. The same tools that you are learning about now, class. Pretty exciting!
Based on the chart that you've printed, check the answers among your peers in the comments section below for the following questions:
1. Quick reporting: Who has the highest solar altitude in June?
Click for answer.
2. Quick reporting: Who has the lowest noontime solar altitude in December?
Click for answer.
3. Why are the arcs "flipped" when comparing your orthographic plot to your polar plot?
Click for answer.
4. Are the arcs representing the hours of the day the same thing as the hour angles?
Click for answer.
Links
[1] http://solardat.uoregon.edu/SunChartProgram.php
[2] http://solardat.uoregon.edu/PolarSunChartProgram.php