\[\cos\alpha = - \frac{15}{17};\ \ \ \]
\[180{^\circ} < \alpha < 270{^\circ} \Longrightarrow \sin\alpha < 0\]
\[\sin\alpha = \sqrt{1 - \cos^{2}\alpha} =\]
\[= \sqrt{1 - \left( - \frac{15}{17} \right)^{2}} = \sqrt{1 - \frac{225}{289}} =\]
\[= \sqrt{\frac{64}{289}} = \left| \frac{8}{17} \right| = - \frac{8}{17}\]