Polhode

Under pile height is defined as the elevation angle of the celestial north pole above the astronomical horizon at each observation site.

The pile height denotes the vertical angular distance between the horizon and the north celestial pole and is identical to the astronomic latitude ( approximately = latitude ) of the observation point of view. The north celestial pole is located near the North Star and is the intersection point of the extended axis of the earth with the celestial sphere.

The equatorial height to match the height of the celestial equator and the horizon is calculated as from the latitude: 90 ° minus pole height.

The pile height is an important value to the correct polar alignment of the equatorial mount an astronomical telescope and for accurate direction determination by Polaris azimuth.