Mathematics HL IA

When Will the Skies

Light Up?
Determining when a passenger on an airplane sees day-night transformation
through 3D Cartesian Coordinate, Polar Coordinate and Vector Analysis

Skyler Shi
5/30/2015
Instructor: Mr.Ma
School: Shanghai High School International Division

Contents
1

Instigation ................................................................................................................................ 1

Assumptions-Setting up the model .......................................................................................... 2

Overview of Model .................................................................................................................. 5

Determining Day-Night Terminators Equation...................................................................... 5

Translating International Geographic Coordinates into Polar Coordinates............................. 7

Solving for Time .................................................................................................................... 10

6.1

Determining Cartesian Coordinates of A and B .......................................................................... 10

6.2

Finding the equation for the great circle of AB :........................................................................ 11

6.3

Solve for Ct .................................................................................................................................. 12

6.4

Finding the Special Ct .................................................................................................................. 13

Flying Westwards .................................................................................................................. 15

Applying the Model: Flying from Shanghai to Vancouver ................................................... 15

Conclusion-Advantages and Limitations of the Model ......................................................... 21

10

Appendix ............................................................................................................................ 22

Instigation

Ive always loved plane rides and there are good reasons to this. On plane rides, I get the
opportunity to observe the mechanisms of the planes, and more importantly, I get a beautiful
view of the skies above the clouds.
On multiple plane rides, Ive taken notice of the skies transitioning from nighttime to daytime or
from daytime to nighttime. In a constant state of flux, these skies are particularly beautiful.
However, the deal with these type of skies is that they only last a short amount of time and
happen at different times on different flights. More than once I have missed out on the chance to
observe such a sky because I slept through it.
Thus, in this paper, I will develop a model that derives the time elapsed after take-off a
passenger will see a day-night sky on any flight. I want to use this model to be sure that I dont
miss out on a day-night sky on my next flight. While inFlight trackers on airplanes do give
passengers a 2D view of the night skies and day skies, they do not tell passengers when a daynight sky appears. I will utilize knowledge of Cartesian coordinates, polar coordinates, and
vectors to develop such a 3D model.

Assumptions-Setting up the model

There are several aspects of the Earths rotation that needs to be pointed out for the establishment
of this model. The Earth rotates around the sun, and the Earth rotates around its own North-South
Pole axis. However, because the Earth is tilted so that its North-South Pole Axis is not
perpendicular to its plane of rotation around the Sun, the Day-Night Terminator1 (an imaginary
plane) determines the earths daylight hemisphere to its nighttime hemisphere, not the plane
containing the North-South Pole axis. (See Diagram 2.1)

Diagram 2.1- 2D View of Model

Diagram 2.1 illustrates the concept of the Day-Night Terminator as determined by the Sun. From
this point on, the sun will be excluded from diagrams. The effect of the Sun on the earth can be
represented simply with the Day-Night Terminator.
In this paper, the Day-Night Terminator axis/line refers
to the line perpendicular to Earths plane of rotation
around the Sun. The Day-Night Terminator plane refers
to the plane perpendicular to Earths rotation around the
Sun.
Assumption 1:
The Earth of radius R 6378km 2 is a counter-clockwise
rotating (viewing from the top) sphere rotating around zaxis (North-South Pole Axis) (Refer to Diagram 2.2)
Justification:
Diagram 2.2 3D Cartesian Setup of Model
1

http://nova.stanford.edu/~vlf/IHY_Test/Tutorials/DayNightTerminator/DayNightTerminator.pdf

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/earthfact.html

3
The Earth rotates counter-clockwise (viewing from the top) and has an average radius of 6378
km in reality based on NASAs measurements. Although the Earth is not a perfect sphere in
reality, this abstraction paper will simplify it into a sphere for easier calculations.
Assumption 2:
The Day-Night Terminator axis/plane is 23.53 to the
plane containing the z-axis and the y-axis on solstices
(June.21 and Dec. 22). Throughout one year, the DayNight Terminator plane will oscillate between the two
angles on solstices as the Earth rotates around the sun.
(Refer to Diagram 2.3)
Justification:

Diagram 2.3- Illustration of Day-Night

Terminator

Research has shown that the maximum tilt (tilt on

solstices) of the Day-Night Terminator Axis of the
Earth has varied from 22.1to 24.5, but this has
happened over a span of time as long as 40,000 years4,
enabling me to ignore the variations in the tilt for this

model.
The reason why the Day-Night Terminator plane oscillates throughout the year requires 3D
imagination, and can be better understood through a GIF on Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminator_(solar)#/media/File:XEphem-sunset-animation.gif
Assumption 3:
The sun is always shining at the Earth from the
Earths right side in this model (viewing from the
front). (Refer to Diagram 2.4)
Assumption 4:
The Earth is placed into a 3D Cartesian coordinate
system. The positives and negatives of the axis from
the front view are shown in Diagram 2.2.1. Any point
on Earth can be modeled by the coordinates (x, y, z).
(Refer to Diagram 2.3 or Diagram 2.4)

Diagram 2.4- Orientation of Model

http://www.universetoday.com/47176/earths-axis/

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Milankovitch/milankovitch_2.php

4
Assumption 5:
The Earth will also be placed into a 3D Polar coordinate
system. Any point on Earth can be modeled by the polar
coordinates (R, , ) (Refer to Diagram 2.5). It is
important to note that is different than longitudinal
angles of the international Geographic Coordinate
System. is dependent on the time of a location. For
instance, at 8:00, point X may be (R, X, X) , but at
8:01, point X will be at (R, X, X+0.25). This will be
explained in further detail later. The positives and
negatives of the angles are defined and shown in
Diagram 2.6. (Refer to Diagrams 2.6.1 & 2.6.2)

Diagram 2.5- 3D Polar Setup of Model

Justification:
These positives and negatives are adopted so that translation from polar coordinates into
Cartesian coordinates will ensure the right signs for the Cartesian coordinates.

Diagram 2.6.1- Positive & Negatives of

Assumption 6:

Diagram 2.6.2- Positive & Negatives of

5
An airplane flies at the speed of a common commercial 767-300 speed of vairplane 850km / hr 5. The airplane also flies the shortest route between two points on a sphere, the arc of the great
circle containing the two points and the origin.

Overview of Model

Section 4: will determine the equation of the Day-Night Terminator plane in relation to date (as
mentioned in Assumption 2, the Day-Night Terminator plane is at different positions every day
of the year)
Section 5: will offer a method to translate International Geographic Coordinates (latitude,
longitude) into relative polar coordinates (R, , ) this model utilizes.
Section 6: will present the method to calculate the time after take-off a plane encounters a daynight sky
Section 7: will make ramifications to the model considering the case of a plane of flying
westwards
Section 8: will see the application of Sections 4-6 on a flight from Shanghai to Vancouver
Given: Date of Travel, Time of Take-off, International Geographic Coordinates of
Shanghai and Vancouver
Determine: How long after take-off passenger will see a Day-Night Sky

Determining Day-Night Terminators Equation

Given: Date of Plane Ride
Find: Equation of Day-Night Terminator Plane

Position 1
Position 2

As mentioned, the Day-Night Terminator plane

oscillates back and forth. With the sun set at the right
of the Earth in this model, the Day-Night Terminator is
at Position 1 on Jun. 21 and is at Position 2 on Dec.
21.6 (It takes half a year for Day-Night Terminator to
move from Position1 to Position2 and half a year to
move back) (Refer to Diagram 4.1)

Diagram 4.1- Illustration of Day-Night

Terminator

http://www.airlines-inform.com/commercial-aircraft/Boeing-767-300.html

http://www.rmg.co.uk/explore/astronomy-and-time/time-facts/equinoxes-and-solstices

6
The Day-Night Terminator oscillates at a uniform rate, so its oscillation rate can be found:
(23.5 23.5 ) (365 2)

94
/ day
365

I define as the angle between the Day-Night

Terminator plane and the Z-axis.
Thus, can be found for different dates on which
airplanes take-off by Equation 4.1:
If Jun.21 < Month.date < Dec.21
23.5 (Month .date Jun .21)

94
/ day If
365

Dec.21 < Month.date < Jun.21

Diagram 4.2- Defining

23.5 (Month .date Dec.21)

94
/ day
365

I realize that space agencies track Day-Night Terminator position down to the minute, but my
calculation of the Day-Night Terminator down to a day is sufficient for my model. Determining
the Day-Night Terminator down to the minute will make my model more accurate, but at the
same time, my model will be greatly complicated. The Day-Night Terminator plane will have to
be modelled by a different equation each minute of the airplanes flight. This is not desirable, so
I only model the Day-Night Terminator down to a day.
The Day-night Terminator plane has vectors v and u
where

sin

v 0
cos

Diagram 4.3- Day-Night Terminator Plane

Vectors

0
u 1
0

Their vector product will give the vector perpendicular

to the Day-night Terminator plane:

7
ATerm sin

v u BTerm 0
CTerm cos

0 0 cos cos


0
1
0
0 sin 0 sin

Thus, the equation for the Day-night Terminator plane is:

ATerm x BTerm y CTerm z ATerm x1 BTerm y1 CTerm z1

Where (x1,y1,z1) is an arbitrary point on the plane
cos x sin z cos 0 0 1 sin 0

Equation 4.2: cos

x sin z 0

5
Translating International Geographic Coordinates into Polar
Coordinates
Given: Time of airplane take-off, A ( LATA , LONGA ), B ( LATB , LONGB )
Find: Polar coordinates of location A (R, A, A), B(R, B, B)
The airplane flies from location A that has latitude LATA and longitude LONGA to location B
that has latitude LATB and longitude LONGB .
The difference between the International Geographic Coordinates and Polar Coordinates in this
model is that Polar Coordinates depend on time whereas International Geographic Coordinates
are independent of time. For example, location M in International Geographic Coordinates at
8:00 and 8:01 will both have coordinates (LATM, LONGM). But location M will have Polar
coordinates of (R, M, M) at 8:00 and (R, M, M+0.25) at 8:01. This difference is caused by
Earths self-rotation around the Z-axis (North-South Pole Axis).
is equal to the latitude of a location. As the Earth rotates around the Z-axis, the latitude of a
location remains unchanged. Thus =LAT.
Referring to Diagram 5.1, the latitudinal plane that
contains A can be represented with the equation:
z R sin LATA .
Solve the three equations:
Diagram 5.1 Latitudinal Plane

Equation of latitudinal plane

Equation of sphere (Earths surface)

8
-

Equation of Day-Night Terminator plane

z R sinLATA

x2 y 2 z 2 R2

Equations 5.1: cos x sin z 0

The roots (the intersection of the two planes and the

sphere) are the sunrise and sunset locations on the
latitudinal plane that contains A. (Refer to Diagram 5.2)

Diagram 5.2 Sunrise Sunset Locations

I will then translate these derived Cartesian coordinates of sunset and sunrise locations into polar
coordinates. I do this because it is easier to derive polar coordinates of locations A with polar
coordinates of the sunset and sunrise locations.
However, the sign of the angles need to be taken into account, so the translation of Cartesian
coordinates into polar angles needs to be divided into four cases.
Equations 5.2: To translate the sunrise and sunset
locations into polar coordinates:

Sunrise/ set LATA

1.

Sunrise / set tan 1 (

xSunrise / set
)
ySunrise / set

if

xSunrise / set ,

ySunrise / set are positive

2.

Sunrise / set 180 tan 1 (

xSunrise / set

3.
negative,

4.

is positive,

Sunrise / set

xSunrise / set
)
ySunrise / set

if

ySunrise / set is negative

Diagram 5.3 Four Cases

x
tan 1 ( Sunrise / set )
ySunrise / set

if

xSunrise / set

is

ySunrise / set is positive

Sunrise / set 180 tan 1 (

xSunrise / set
) if xSunrise / set
ySunrise / set

is negative,

ySunrise / set is negative

Thus, sunrise/set location: ( R, sunrise / set , sunrise / set )

Once the sunrise and sunset locations are found, then
location A can be found by backtracking. If the airplane
takes off at location A during daytime, then it can be
inferred that location A has rotated from the sunrise
location and will rotate to the sunset location as time
passes. If the airplane takes off at location A during
nighttime, then it can be inferred that location A has
rotated from the sunset location and will rotate to the
sunrise location as time passes.

Diagram 5.4- Finding Location A

Knowing this, the polar coordinates of A can be found

by deducting the angular distance A is to travel to either
the sunset or sunrise location from the polar coordinates
of either the sunset or sunrise location.

Equations 5.3:
Airplane takes-off in daytime:

A( R, A , A ) A( R, LATA , Sunset )
Airplane takes-off in nighttime:

A( R, A , A ) A( R, LATA , Sunrise )
where

(Tsunrise / sunset Ttake off ) 360 24 60 (Tsunrise / sunset Ttake off ) 0.25 / min
timeofsunrise / set timeoftake off

Earth self rotationspeed

timeofsunrise / set timeoftake off

(If Sunrise / set 180 , then A( R, A , A ) A( R, LATA , Sunrise / set 360 ) (This is to account
for the discontinuity of at 180 and 180 .
Note: the sunrise/sunset times of different locations can be found online at:
http://sunrisesunset.com/calendar.asp
And once the polar coordinates of A are determined, the polar coordinates of B can be easily
determined through the relationship of the latitudes and longitudes of A and B.
Equation 5.4:

10

B( R, B , B ) B( R, LATB , A (LONGB LONGA ))

Solving for Time

Given: A,B polar coordinates, equation of DayNight Terminator plane
Find: time after take-off the plane encounters the
Day-Night Terminator

6.1 Determining Cartesian Coordinates

of A and B
Any point P with polar coordinates P( R, , ) can
Diagram 6.1 Polar to Cartesian
Coordinates

Diagram 6.1 Coordinates Translation

be translated into Cartesian coordinates

P( R cos sin , Rcos cos , R sin ) (Refer to
Diagram 6.1)
Thus the relative polar coordinates of A and B can
be translated into Cartesian coordinates:

Note: A and B are given a subscript 0 to indicate their original location when the plane takes-off.
(The Earth rotates, so the positions of A and B
are constantly changing.)
A0 ( R cos A sin A ,

A0 (R, A , A )

R cos A cos A ,
R sin A )
B0 ( R cos B sin B ,

B0 (R, B , B )

R cos B cos B ,
R sin B )

The earth rotates at an angular velocity (Refer

to Diagram 6.2)

360
0.25 / min
24 60

Diagram 6.2- A and B Rotation

A0 and B0 will move to the right. At and Bt, the locations of A and B at any time, can be
represented by:

11

At (R, A , A 0.25 t)
Bt (R, B , B 0.25 t)
x At R cos A sin( A 0.25 t )

At (R, A , A ) At ( xAt , yAt , z At )

y At R cos A cos( A 0.25 t )

z At R sin A
xBt R cos B sin( B 0.25 t )

Bt (R, B , B ) Bt ( xBt , yBt , zBt )

yBt R cos B cos( B 0.25 t )

z Bt R sin B

6.2

Finding the equation for the great circle of AB :

This section of the paper outlines the method of determining the equation for the great circle of

AB at a given time t after the plane takes-off.

At a given time, there are vectors a and b where
Equations 6.1:
x At R cos A sin( A 0.25 t )

a y At R cos A cos( A 0.25 t )

z At
R sin A

Diagram 6.3- Vectors a and b

xBt R cos B sin( B 0.25 t )

b yBt R cos B cos( B 0.25 t )

z Bt
R sin B

Their vector product will give the vector perpendicular to the AB plane:
Equation 6.2:
AAB x At xBt y At z Bt z At y Bt

a b BAB y At y Bt z At xBt x At z Bt

C z z x y y x
At
Bt
At Bt
At Bt

AB

12

Thus, the equation for the plane containing AB is:

AAB x BAB y C AB z AAB x1 BAB y1 C AB z1

Equation 6.3: AAB x BAB y C AB z AAB 0 BAB 0 C AB 0 0

6.3

Solve for Ct

The previous sections have derived the equation of the Day-Night Terminator plane and the
equation of the Great Circle containing AB . Using the below three equations:
-

Equation of Day-Night Terminator plane

Equation of Great Circle of AB

Equation of sphere (surface of Earth)

cos x sin z 0

Equations 6.4: A x B y C
z 0
AB
AB
AB
x2 y 2 z 2 R 2 40678884

I find roots Ct(xt, yt, zt).

Where Ct is the intersection of the Day-Night
Terminator and the Great Circle of AB on the surface
of Earth at any time.
According to Diagram 6.4, there will be two roots to
the system of Equations 6.4. I will discard the Ct that is
not on the shorter great arc of AB (the airplanes route).
Ct indicates the point on the airplane route that
observes a Day-night sky.
Diagram 6.4- Ct

However, Ct is actually the locus of points of the intersection of the Day-night Terminator plane
and the route that the plane follows. There are many solutions to Ct because both the equation for
the Day-Night Terminator plane and the equation for the Great Circle of AB have variable t in
them. At every instance of time, there is a solution of the system of equations Ct.
However, there is only one Ct out of all the locus of points that I am concerned with- the point
where not only the Day-night Terminator plane intersects the plane route, but also where the

13
airplane happens to be on the point. This is where a passenger on the plane can observe a sunset
or sunrise sky. This is the special Ct. If I find this special Ct, then I will be able to find the
distance the airplane travels before it arrives at this special Ct. This distance divided by the
airplanes velocity produces the time after take-off a passenger encounters a Day-Night sky.

6.4

Finding the Special Ct

I will use a table to derive the Special Ct and hence the time after take-off a passenger encounters
a Day-Night sky.
I will guess times at which produce the special Ct in the table. Each guessed time will generate a
Ct. Using this Ct, I will derive the distance of the flight of the airplane to Ct D A C . I will find the
t t

quotient of this distance D A C and the airplanes velocity vairplane to find time of travel to reach Ct
t t

tairplane .
If the time of travel of the airplane tairplane is equal to the guessed time, then the calculated Ct is
the special Ct and the guessed time is the time after take-off a passenger encounters a Day-Night
sky. In this case, the airplane takes the same amount of time to fly to Ct as the Day-night
terminator plane takes to rotate to Ct. The airplane coincides with the Day-night terminator plane,
and passengers aboard observe a day-night sky.
If t tairplane t 0 , then I need to guess another time and confirm t again.
This process is repeated until t tairplane t 0
A table is made:

t (time of
travel)

Ct ( x Ct , y Ct ,z Ct )

A C (angle of arc At Ct )
t

D A C (distance of
t t

arc At Ct )
0 min
1 min
2 min
3 min
.

Solve the set of equations:

cos x sin z 0

AAB x BAB y C AB z 0
x 2 y 2 z 2 R 2 40678884

sin A C
t t

x At xCt
y y
At Ct
z At zCt

DA C
t t

AC

t t

2 R

AC R
t t

x At xCt
y y
At Ct
z At zCt

I will use Wolfram Mathematica to perform the calculations in order to complete the table.

tairplane (time it
would take for
plane to travel
to Ct)
DA C
t t
tairplane
vairplane

AC R
t t

vairplane

t tairplane t

Since t is taken
at intervals of
1, there might
not be a time
where tairplane is
equal to t.
Therefore the
objective
should be to
minimize t .

15

Flying Westwards

The model in sections 4-6 is attributed to a flight from west to east. I can assume that the airplane
will fly from location B to location A. Then, there is a need for a few adjustments for the table.

B C (angle of arc Bt Ct )
t

DB C (distance of
t t

arc Bt Ct )

sin B C

xBt xCt
y y
Bt Ct
zBt zCt

DB C
t t

B C

t t

2 R

B C R
t t

xBt xCt
y y
Bt Ct
zBt zCt
Instead of finding D A C , the question is now concerned with finding DB C , representing the new
t t

t t

t t

distance travelled by the plane.

Besides this, the methodology is equivalent to flying from west to east.

Applying the Model: Flying from Shanghai to Vancouver

Shanghai International Geographic Coordinates: 31.22 , 121.46

Vancouver International Geographic Coordinates: 48.25 , -123.12

Although I havent taken a flight from Shanghai to Vancouver recently, I have in the past. For
the sake of applying the model, I will set the flight date to today and flight time to now.
Flight Date: Aug.29
Flight Time: 11:00
Equation 4.1 (To find the angle of the Day-Night Terminator Plane):
23.5 (Month .date Jun .21)

94
/ day
365

http://dateandtime.info/citycoordinates.php?id=1796236

http://dateandtime.info/citycoordinates.php?id=6173331

16

23.5 (Aug.29 Jun .21)

23.5 69

94
/ day
365

94
/ day 5.73
365

Equation 4.2(Equation for Day-Night Terminator):

cos x sin z 0

cos(5.73 ) x sin(5.73 ) z 0

Equations 5.1:

z R sin LATA
z 6378 sin 31.22

2
2
2
2
2
x y z R

x y 2 z 2 R 2 40678884

cos(5.73 ) x sin(5.73 ) z 0
cos x sin z 0

Roots (Sunset/Sunrise Locations on Latitudinal Plane):

The system of equations was solved by Wolfram
Mathematica (refer to Appendix 8.1):
The sunrise location is the root with the positive y value.
The sunset location is the root with the negative y value.
(Refer to Diagram 7.1)

Diagram 7.1 Sunset and Sunrise

Sunrise:

Sunset:

x1=-331.719

x2=-331.719

y1=-5444.263

y2=5444.263

z1=3305.880

z2=3305.880

Since the flight takes off at 11:00, which is in Daytime,

the location of A(Shanghai) will be calculated through the Sunset location of Shanghai.

Equations 5.2 (converting Cartesian Sunset coordinates into relative Polar coordinates):

Sunrise / set LATA 31.22

17

Sunrise / set 180 tan 1 (

xSunrise / set
331.719
) 180 tan 1 (
) 176.513
ySunrise / set
5444.263

Thus, the sunrise location is (R, 31.22 , 176.513 ).

The sunset time for Shanghai is 18:23 on Aug. 29.9
Equation 5.3 (ascertaining polar coordinates of A(Shanghai)):
Because Sunrise / set 180 ,
A( R, A , A ) A( R, LATA , Sunrise / set 360 ) where

(Tsunrise / sunset Ttake off ) 0.25 / min (18 : 23 11: 00) 0.25 / min 443 0.25 / min 110.75
timeofsunrise / set timeoftake off

Thus, A( R, A , A ) A(6378,31.22 , 176.513 360 110.75 ) A(6378, 31.22 , 72.737 )

Equation 5.4 (ascertaining polar coordinates of B(Vancouver)):

B( R, B , B ) B( R, LATB , A (LONGB LONGA ))

B( R, B , B ) B(6378, 48.25, 72.737 (123.12 121.46 ) 360 ) B(6378, 48.25 ,188.157 )

Note: B(6378, 48.25 ,188.157 ) B(6378, 48.25 , 171.843 )

A(6378,31.22 ,72.737 ) (Shanghai)

B(6378, 48.25 , 171.843 ) (Vancouver)

Equations 6.1 (Determine vectors a and b):

xAt R cos A sin( A 0.25 t ) cos 31.22 sin(72.737 0.25 t )

a y At R cos A cos( A 0.25 t ) cos 31.22 cos(72.737 0.25 t )

z At
R sin A
sin 31.22

http://sunrisesunset.com/calendar.asp

18
xBt R cos B sin( B 0.25 t ) cos 48.25 sin(171.843 0.25 t )

b yBt R cos B cos( B 0.25 t ) cos 48.25 cos(171.843 0.25 t )

z Bt
R sin B
sin 48.25

Equation 6.2 (Determining the cross product of vectors a and b):

AAB x At xBt y At z Bt z At y Bt

a b BAB y At y Bt z At xBt x At z Bt

C z z x y y x
At
Bt
At Bt
At Bt

AB
cos 31.22 cos(72.737 0.25 t ) sin 48.25 sin 31.22 cos 48.25 cos( 171.843 0.25 t )

sin 31.22 cos 48.25 sin( 171.843 0.25 t ) cos 31.22 sin(72.737 0.25 t ) sin 48.25

cos 31.22 sin(72.737 0.25 t ) cos 48.25 cos( 171.843 0.25 t ) cos 31.22 cos(72.737 0.25 t ) cos 48.25 sin( 171.843

Equation 6.3 (Equation of the great circle of AB ):

AAB x BAB y C AB z 0

(for the sake of simplicity, I wont expand AAB , BAB and C AB

Equations 6.4 (systems of equations to determine Ct):
cos(5.73 ) x sin(5.73 ) z 0

AAB x BAB y C AB z 0

x 2 y 2 z 2 40678884

Table:
The airplane takes off at 11:00, and Shanghai experiences sunset that day at 18:23. It takes 7
hours and 23 minutes for the airplane to experience the day-night sky without flying. Thus, a
good approximation of the time the airplane meets the day-night sky when flying would be 200
minutes 300 minutes. I will then narrow down the time

0.25 t )

19

200
min

AAB 0.16293308523456076(-546.746, 3269.602,

BAB 0.8298728828467303
5448.822)
C AB 0.514319834283114

30.401 =0.5306 rad

tairplane (time it t tairplane t

would take
of arc At Ct )
for plane to
travel to Ct)
Since t is
AC
D
DA C t t 2 R tairplane At Ct taken at
t t
2
vairplane intervals of 1,
AC R
A C R there might
t t
t t not be a time
vairplane
where tairplane
AC R
t t is equal to t.
85 Therefore the
6 objective
should be to
minimize t .
3384.167 km
238.882 min 38.882

300
min

AAB 0.498386959128417 (-527.515, 3572.51,

BAB 0.6832617587126657
5257.17)
C AB 0.5143198342831141

36.153 =0.6310 rad

4024.419 km

284.077 min

-15.923

250
min

AAB 0.33868828692328046(-541.994, 3348.03,

BAB 0.7749364078744585
5401.46)

33.017 =0.5763 rad

3675.641 km

259.457 min

9.457

AAB 0.421040143232046 (-536.246, 3439.64,

34.503 =0.6022 rad

3840.725 km

271.110 min

-3.89

t (time
of
travel)

AAB x BAB y C AB z 0 Ct ( x Ct , y Ct ,z Ct )
(angle of arc At Ct )
AC
t

0 min
100
min
200
min
300
min
.

Solve the set of

Equations 6.4

sin A C
t t

x At xCt
y y
At Ct
z At zCt
x At xCt
y y
At Ct
z At zCt

D A C (distance
t t

C AB 0.514319834283114

275
min

BAB 0.7334585126205393

20
C AB 0.5143198342831141

265
min

5344.17)

AAB 0.38864639533214784(-538.863, 3398.37,

BAB 0.7511259357416193
5370.25)

33.891 =0.5915 rad

3772.649 km

266.305 min

1.3046

AAB 0.40493963394924837(-537.61, 3418.2,

BAB 0.7424689116760677
5357.77)

34.194 =0.5968 rad

3806.341 km

268.683 min

-1.317

C AB 0.5143198342831141

270
min

C AB 0.514319834283114

(Refer to Appendix 8.2 for Mathematica Script)

As t is minimized for 265 min and 270 min, the airplane that flies from Shanghai to Vancouver at 11:00 on Aug.29 will

encounter a Day-Night sky 265-270 min after takeoff.

21

Conclusion-Advantages and Limitations of the Model

This model incorporates simpler logic than other models because it chose a 3D geometry
approach instead of a 2D geometry approach. Other models online have modelled the Day-Night
Terminator into a wave function on a 2D map. Whereas this may make calculations easier, the
knowledge of translating a 3D planes intersection with a sphere onto a 2D wave function is
beyond the math course Im taking.
This 3D approach is simpler in logic and it compartmentalizes the calculations so that they are
staged out step-by-step.
However, this model is limited. I designed this model to calculate the time an airplane will meet
a day-night sky. The calculations took quite some time, proving the model not as practical as I
thought it would be. Furthermore, 3D graphs are inherently limited, and they might not appear to
be as straightforward as 2D graphs. I found it difficult to convey a lot of information with the 3D
graphs. Finally, my table approach to ascertain the time needed requires a system of non-linear
equations to be solved. This is very calculation intensive and most definitely not something that
can be done on a napkin offered on an airliners flight.

Figure 9.1- 2D Modelling of Day-Night Terminator

Nevertheless, this model does offer a great deal of accuracy and information. It shows that an
airplane taking off on not only different times in the day but also different dates in the year
affects the results. A 2D model would be much more complicated if it were to consider the
differences of an airplane taking off on different dates. There would be a need for many different
equations to represent the Day-night terminators. (Refer Figure 9.1) In this 3D model, a single
equation with a variable determining the tilt of the Day-night terminator is sufficient. (Recalling
equation 4.2) In this sense, the 3D model is more simplistic and comprehensive.
Im thrilled to have incorporate IB math skills of polar coordinates, Cartesian coordinates and
vectors to solve this problem that has frustrated me for quite some time. In section 5, I first
calculated the cartesian coordinates of the sunset/sunrise locations. It became evident to me that
a conversion of cartesian coordinates into polar coordinates would not only make the
calculations but also the logic henceforth easier. This showed me the importance of
understanding the connections between system of knowledge in math.

22

10

Appendix

Section 8.1:
Solve[^2 + ^2 + (6378 Sin[31.22Degree])^2 =
= 40678884&& Cos[5.73Degree] + Sin[5.73Degree] 6378
Sin[31.22Degree] == 0, {, }, Reals]
{{ 331.7190224116311, 5444.2631535811315}, {
331.7190224116311, 5444.2631535811315}}
Section8.2:
Syntax::bktmcp: Expression "[Cos[31.22Degree]Cos[72.737Degree+0.25Degree*#]Sin[48.25Degree]Sin[31.22Degree]Cos[48.25Degree]Cos[171.843Degree+0.25Degree*#]],{200,300}]" has no closing "]".
Syntax::bktmcp: Expression
"Map[[Cos[31.22Degree]Cos[72.737Degree+0.25Degree*#]Sin[48.25Degree]Sin[31.22Degree]Cos[48.25Degree]Cos[171.843Degree+0.25Degree*#]],{200,300}]/@{200,300}]" has
no closing "]".

Function[Cos[31.22Degree]Cos[72.737Degree+0.25Degree*#]Sin[48.25Degree]Sin[31.22Degree]Cos[48.25Degree]Cos[171.843Degree+0.25Degree*#]]/@{200,300,250,275,265,270}
{-0.162933,-0.498387,-0.338688,-0.42104,-0.388646,-0.40494}

Function[Sin[31.22Degree]Cos[48.25Degree]Sin[171.843Degree+0.25Degree*#]Cos[31.22Degree]Sin[
72.737Degree+0.25Degree*#]Sin[48.25Degree]]/@{200,300,250,275,265,270}
{-0.829873,-0.683262,-0.774936,-0.733459,-0.751126,-0.742469}

Function[Cos[31.22Degree]Sin[72.737Degree+0.25Degree*#]Cos[48.25Degree]Cos[171.843Degree+0.2
5Degree*#]Cos[31.22Degree]Cos[72.737Degree+0.25Degree*#]Cos[48.25Degree]Sin[171.843Degree
+0.25Degree*#]]/@{200,300,250,275,265,270}
{-0.51432,-0.51432,-0.51432,-0.51432,-0.51432,-0.51432}

23

Solve[Cos[5.73Degree]*x+Sin[5.73Degree]*z==0&&(-0.16293308523456076)*x+(0.8298728828467303)*y+(-0.514319834283114)*z==0&&x2+y2+z2==40678884,{x,y,z},Reals]
Solve::ratnz: Solve was unable to solve the system with inexact coefficients. The answer was obtained by
solving a corresponding exact system and numericizing the result. >>
{{x->-546.7462627332769`,y->-3269.601874049342`,z->5448.821534001661`},{x>546.7462627332769`,y->3269.601874049342`,z->-5448.821534001661`}}
Solve[Cos[5.73Degree]*x+Sin[5.73Degree]*z==0&&(-0.498386959128417)*x+(0.6832617587126657)*y+(-0.5143198342831141)*z==0&&x2+y2+z2==40678884,{x,y,z},Reals]
Solve::ratnz: Solve was unable to solve the system with inexact coefficients. The answer was obtained by
solving a corresponding exact system and numericizing the result. >>
{{x->-527.5151690154876`,y->-3572.508155665824`,z->5257.166273208386`},{x>527.5151690154876`,y->3572.508155665824`,z->-5257.166273208386`}}

a200={Cos[31.22Degree]Sin[72.737Degree+0.25Degree*200],Cos[31.22Degree]Cos[72.737Degree+0.25
Degree*200],Sin[31.22Degree]}
c200={-546.746,-3269.602,5448.822}
Norm[a200*c200]/(Norm[a200]*Norm[c200])
{0.719348,-0.462469,0.518326}
{-546.746,-3269.6,5448.82}
0.506056
a300={Cos[31.22Degree]Sin[72.737Degree+0.25Degree*300],Cos[31.22Degree]Cos[72.737Degree+0.25
Degree*300],Sin[31.22Degree]}
c300={-527.515,-3572.51,5257.17}
Norm[a300*c300]/(Norm[a300]*Norm[c300])
{0.456502,-0.723149,0.518326}
{-527.515,-3572.51,5257.17}
0.58994

Solve[Cos[5.73Degree]*x+Sin[5.73Degree]*z==0&&(-0.33868828692328046)*x+(0.7749364078744585)*y+(-0.514319834283114)*z==0&&x2+y2+z2==40678884,{x,y,z},Reals]
Solve::ratnz: Solve was unable to solve the system with inexact coefficients. The answer was obtained by
solving a corresponding exact system and numericizing the result. >>
{{x->-541.994,y->-3348.03,z->5401.46},{x->541.994,y->3348.03,z->-5401.46}}
a275={Cos[31.22Degree]Sin[72.737Degree+0.25Degree*275],Cos[31.22Degree]Cos[72.737Degree+0.25
Degree*275],Sin[31.22Degree]}
c275={-541.994,-3348.03,5401.46}
Norm[a275*c275]/(Norm[a275]*Norm[c275])

24
{0.532516,-0.669153,0.518326}
{-541.994,-3348.03,5401.46}
0.564023

Solve[Cos[5.73Degree]*x+Sin[5.73Degree]*z==0&&(-0.421040143232046)*x+(0.7334585126205393)*y+(-0.5143198342831141)*z==0&&x2+y2+z2==40678884,{x,y,z},Reals]

Solve::ratnz: Solve was unable to solve the system with inexact coefficients. The answer was obtained by
solving a corresponding exact system and numericizing the result. >>
{{x->-536.245714613068`,y->-3439.6406933255107`,z->5344.174064752974`},{x>536.245714613068`,y->3439.6406933255107`,z->-5344.174064752974`}}
a275={Cos[31.22Degree]Sin[72.737Degree+0.25Degree*275],Cos[31.22Degree]Cos[72.737Degree+0.25
Degree*275],Sin[31.22Degree]}

c275={-536.246,-3439.64,5344.17}
Norm[a275*c275]/(Norm[a275]*Norm[c275])
{{x->-536.246,y->-3439.64,z->5344.17},{x->536.246,y->3439.64,z->-5344.17}}
{0.532516,-0.669153,0.518326}
{-536.246,-3439.64,5344.17}
0.566443

Solve[Cos[5.73Degree]*x+Sin[5.73Degree]*z==0&&(-0.38864639533214784)*x+(0.7511259357416193)*y+(-0.5143198342831141)*z==0&&x2+y2+z2==40678884,{x,y,z},Reals]
Solve::ratnz: Solve was unable to solve the system with inexact coefficients. The answer was obtained by
solving a corresponding exact system and numericizing the result. >>
{{x->-538.863,y->-3398.37,z->5370.25},{x->538.863,y->3398.37,z->-5370.25}}
Solve[Cos[5.73Degree]*x+Sin[5.73Degree]*z==0&&(-0.40493963394924837)*x+(0.7424689116760677)*y+(-0.514319834283114)*z==0&&x2+y2+z2==40678884,{x,y,z},Reals]
Solve::ratnz: Solve was unable to solve the system with inexact coefficients. The answer was obtained by
solving a corresponding exact system and numericizing the result. >>
{{x->-537.61,y->-3418.2,z->5357.77},{x->537.61,y->3418.2,z->-5357.77}}

a265={Cos[31.22Degree]Sin[72.737Degree+0.25Degree*265],Cos[31.22Degree]Cos[72.737Degree+0.25
Degree*265],Sin[31.22Degree]}

c265={-538.863,-3398.37,5370.25}

25

Norm[a265*c265]/(Norm[a265]*Norm[c265])
{0.561197,-0.645288,0.518326}
{-538.863,-3398.37,5370.25}
0.557615

a270={Cos[31.22Degree]Sin[72.737Degree+0.25Degree*270],Cos[31.22Degree]Cos[72.737Degree+0.25
Degree*270],Sin[31.22Degree]}

c270={-537.61,-3418.2,5357.77}

Norm[a270*c270]/(Norm[a270]*Norm[c270])
{0.546987,-0.657377,0.518326}
{-537.61,-3418.2,5357.77}
0.561992