Little Trojan Solar Astronomers

Shadows On The Internet

Who has the shortest shadow on the first day of spring? As part of a global science project, students at Charleston Jr. High School measured the noon shadow of a meter stick. Their data was combined with measurements from several other locations to answer this question. Dr. Michael Leyden of Eastern Illinois University designed this project and made similar measurements while in Europe. ( Above - Jamie and Lindsay collect data outside the school building )

Compiled data from participating schools is shown below. Does one's location on Earth determine the length of the shadow? Does the shortest shadow always fall at noon? What is the significance of angle of the sun on the spring equinox? ( Above - Ashley and Jesse record their data )

Collected Data From Shadow Project
Location	Shadow (cm)	Angle	Expected Latitude	Actual Latitude
Illinois	81.7	39.25	39.25	39.30
New Mexico	62.2	31.88	31.88	33
N. Carolina	68.3	34.33	34.33	34
California	63.5	32.42	32.42	34.5
Maryland	74	36.50	36.50	39
Colorado	83	39.69	39.69	40
Indiana	95	43.53	43.53	41
Maine	74.5	36.69	36.69	41
Indiana	87	41.02	41.02	41
Nebraska	72.6	35.98	35.98	36
Indiana	86.8	40.96	40.96	41
New Hampshire	92.8	42.86	42.86	43
Paris, France	111	47.98	47.98	49
United Kingdom	121	50.43	50.43	50
Texas	58.5	30.29	30.29	30.3
Indiana	83.5	39.90	39.90	42

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