Why the tropics are named cancer and capricorn

Don't have an account? Join now. Henry Bolzon Jun 18 ' What constitutes good city planning? How are road speed limits determined? Ask a New question. 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.

When the Tropic of Cancer was first named about 2, years ago , the sun was pointed in the direction of the constellation of Cancer during the June solstice. The name stuck, even though the location of the sun has shifted and now resides in the constellation of Taurus during that time of year. Because there's a greater concentration of land in the Northern Hemisphere, the Tropic of Cancer passes through more cities than the Southern Hemisphere's Tropic of Capricorn.

Sign up for our Newsletter! Intermediate Are there telescopes that can see the flag and lunar rover on the Moon? Beginner How long could life on Earth survive if the Sun stopped shining? Beginner Why do the planets orbit the sun? Beginner What is the difference between a "star" and a "sun"?

Beginner Do asteroids hit the Sun? Beginner How do you measure the distance between Earth and the Sun? Intermediate What kind of eyepieces do I need to look at planets? Intermediate Can moons have moons? Intermediate Which planet is most similar to Earth? Are there telescopes that can see the flag and lunar rover on the Moon? Beginner Can artificial gravity be created in space? Intermediate Why do the planets orbit the sun? Intermediate How does the position of Moonrise and Moonset change?

Intermediate At what speed does the Earth move around the Sun? Beginner Why is the moon in a different place every night? How long could life on Earth survive if the Sun stopped shining? Beginner How does the position of Moonrise and Moonset change? Beginner Is the Moon moving away from the Earth? When was this discovered?

Intermediate Why is the moon in a different place every night? What's going to happen on December 21st ?