Position Above Earth?

[deleted-392335]

Hi. I am not a student with a science project question, but it seems like my question is at a 6-8th grade level so I am asking here...

...I was reading about the Earth-grazing meteroid of 10-13-1990 when the line regarding the fact that the meteor entered the atmosphere above Poland and Chzechoslovakia made me wonder, "How does one determine where a point in the atmosphere IS in relation to the earth? Is it a plumb line? Is it squared up-from-the-ground? How would squared up-from-the-ground be determined? Would it be a line from the center of the Earth passing through you and out to the celestial body?" How would one, on Earth, know what point in the sky lay directly above him?"

[pswiatko]

Hi jgallivan,

Thanks for using the forum!

It seems that your question would fit the "Physican Science" sub-forum much better. Please consider posting your question there.

Thanks,
Peter S.