Talk:Celestial pole

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I believe that wikipedia needs more information on this subject. It is an amazing thing.

i think this website is very useful for help in my science work.

[edit] celestial pole + ID

I read this http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051014/MTCN0405/310140013/1314 and it says that the celestial poles are part of our intelligent designer communicating to us. I came to this article to try and find out what he was talking about, but I'm still unclear.

[edit] Equilateral Triangles

Although two points do define the size of an equilateral triangle, on which side of the line joining the two points should the third point be placed? Yes, I know, the side that has the south celestial pole. But, which side is that? NickyMcLean 03:36, 23 September 2006 (UTC)

Looking at Starry Night, it seems that if you can also identify Alpha Centauri, the third brightest 'star' (actually a cluster) in the sky and the closest star to Earth, then it would make (roughly) an isoceles triangle, in the same general direction as the southern cross, with the same 2 baseline stars. The southern celestial pole (SCP) is the imaginary equilateral point inside the long isoceles. Other option is to have a rough guess on the location of the SCP (or south) and this baseline will confirm and improve it. Also, if you live in that general area, just remember from night to night (it will change very slowly between seasons) where the SCP is relative to the baseline (e.g. "to the upper right"). This is all WP:OR but I am sure someone can find it somewhere and confirm it, or add other ways (some are mentioned in southern cross). Crum375 12:26, 23 September 2006 (UTC)

Here is another way. Assume you can actually identify each of the 2 baseline stars, Canopus and Achernar, using their neighbors or some other means. In that case, start from Canopus, go (in your imagination) to Achernar, and then hang a 60 degree right turn towards the third imaginary point on the equilateral triangle, which will be the SCP. Of course if you can see the southern cross, it will also point at the SCP, so that will another confirmation. This is all WP:OR per Starry Night. Crum375 02:01, 25 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Proposed merge

There seems a lot of overlap between Celestial pole, Pole Star, North Star and South Star. Much of the same material is repeated several times. Unless anyone can see a good reason not to, I propose merging it all to Celestial pole. Matt 00:34, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

I agree the overlap is huge, but I don't think a merge to Celestial pole is the solution; I'd imagine most non-specialists would search for 'pole star', for example. Some trimming and interlinking between the articles would seem the best solution, or failing that a redirect to pole star. Chrislintott (talk) 11:39, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

I agree with Chrislintott, even tho' I'm usually a "mergist" :). The context of Celestial pole, Pole Star, North Star and South Star are overlapping, but the concepts might be too different for a merge. Trimming, interlinking and possibly redirection is the key, I think. On the other hand, a merge wouldn't disturb me particularly, but Celestial pole is a theoretical concept and the star(s) are physical objects. Tough choice here - maybe we could compare this with Geographical pole, North Pole and South Pole and see how those things have been handled there? --Dna-Dennis (talk) 16:19, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

On reflection, I believe that you are right that all articles should be preserved in some form. I will remove the merge proposals and makes some changes along the lines suggested. Please make any further modifications you feel are necessary. Matt 21:19, 17 February 2008 (UTC). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.133.54.28 (talk)