LECTURE 6: ANGLES AND DIRECTIONS

Meridians - A fixed line of reference Traverse Angles

 Astronomic Meridian – the direction of  Traverse – series of straight lines that

the line passing through the astronomic
north and south poles and the observer’s
position. Used for all surveys of large
extent.
 Magnetic Meridian – direction taken by
the magnetized needle of a compass at the
observer’s position
 Assumed Meridian – arbitrary direction
taken for convenience
Units for Measuring Angles
 Sexagesimal System - circle is divided into
360 parts. (degrees, minutes, seconds)
 Centesimal System – circle is divided into
400 parts (grads)
 The Radian – the angle inscribed at the
center of a circle by an arc length equal to
the radius of the circle. (rad)
 The Mil – circle is divided into 6400 parts
(mils)
are connected together
o Closed – boundary lines for a
piece of lands
o Open – highways and railroads
 Interior Angle – enclosed by the sides
of a closed traverse
 Exterior Angle – formed on the outside
of a closed traverse
 Angle to the Right – clockwise angle
between the preceding line and the
next line
 Deflection Angle – angle between the
extension of the preceding line and the
next line

360° = 2π rad = 400 grads = 6400 mils

Azimuths – the clockwise angle from the north

EX1: From the traverse shown below, compute
or south end of the reference meridian to the
the azimuth and bearing of side BC (Azimuth =
line in question.
125° 21’ ; Bearing = S 54°39’ E)
Forward and Back
Azimuth – values differ
by 180° from each
other
Astronomic, magnetic
or assumed, depending
on meridian used

Bearings – the smallest angle with which that
line makes with the reference meridian. It
cannot be greater than 90°.
– Measured in relation to the north or
south ends of the meridian
– Astronomic, magnetic or assumed,
depending on meridian used
EX2: The magnetic bearing of line AB was
recorded as S43°30’E in 1888. If the magnetic
declination was 2°E, what is the astronomic
bearing of the line? If the declination is now
3°W, what is the magnetic bearing of the line
today? (Astronomic Bearing = S41°30’E ;
Magnetic Bearing = S38°30’E

The Compass – the compass needle lines up

with the magnetic north (slightly east or west of
astronomic north)

Magnetic declination – angle between

magnetic north and astronomic north