Tropic of Capricorn Marker - Rockhampton, Australia
Posted by: 
fathrtime
S 23° 23.988 E 150° 30.314
56K E 245036 N 7410015
Tropic of Capricorn marker located in the town of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.
Waymark Code: WM9EWR
Location: Queensland, Australia
Date Posted: 08/10/2010
Views: 26
This marker identifies the Tropic of Capricorn which runs through the city of Rockhampton in the state of Queensland, Australia.
Rockhampton is located on the east coast of Australia and this is the most easterly marker for the Tropic on the Australian continent.
This statue is located directly outside the tourist information centre for Rockhampton on the Bruce Highway (part of Highway 1 which circles the continent).
The Tropic of Capricorn is an important part of this area. This region is referred to as "the Capricornia coast" and the highway leading directly West from the city is the "Capricorn Highway" which follows along the Tropic.
At the location is a plaque which reads:
"Because of the tilt of 23' 27' 30' of the Earth's axis of rotation to it's orbital path, the Tropic of Capricorn is the southernmost latitude at which the sun reaches the zenith. This happens only once each year on the summer solstice (about 22nd December).
Capricornus was in Roman mythology the sea goat into which Pan was changed to escape from the terrible giant Typhon. It is also the name given to the constellation resembling it and when the December solstice was first observed the sun was situated in this constellation. Hence this tropic was named Capricorn."
There is also a sun dial along with 2 signs North and South of the marker which say "Temperate Zone" (South) and "Tropic zone" (North).
On another note, Rockhampton is the most southerly area where the dangerous Saltwater crocodiles are spotted, so be careful when going for a swim!
Line type: Major circles of latitude
If other type, please explain.: sun dial?
Tolerance: 5.5 km
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