Celestial Navigation

A Revision

P
P: Pole Z: Observers Zenith X: GP of the Body

Prime Meridian

Equator

P
P: Pole Z: Observers Zenith X: GP of the Body

Prime Meridian

Declination

Equator

Declination: Is defined as the angle formed at the centre of the earth or the arc of meridian between the GP of the body and the Equator

P
P: Pole Z: Observers Zenith X: GP of the Body

Prime Meridian

Equator

GHA: Is defined as the angle formed at the centre of the earth or the arc of the equator between the GP of the body and the Prime Meridian in a westerly direction

P
P: Pole Z: Observers Zenith X: GP of the Body

Prime Meridian

Declination
C

Equator

Declination: Is defined as the angle formed at the centre of the earth or the arc of meridian between the GP of the body and the Equator

P
P: Pole Z: Observers Zenith X: GP of the Body

Prime Meridian

Equator

GHA: Is defined as the angle formed at the centre of the earth or the arc of the equator between the GP of the body and the Prime Meridian in a westerly direction

P
P: Pole Z: Observers Zenith X: GP of the Body

Prime Meridian

Observers Meridian
C

Equator

P
P: Pole Z: Observers Zenith X: GP of the Body

The PZX triangle

Prime Meridian

Observers Meridian
C

Equator

P
PZ: Co-Latitude or 90 - Latitude

P to Q is 90 degrees

ZQ: Latitude

X
Q Equator Q1

Latitude is defined as the angle formed at the Centre of the earth, or the arc of meridian in between the observer and the Equator

ZX: Zenith Distance

X
Q Equator Q1
Z X C
Rational Horizon

ZX or the Zenith Distance is always equal to 90 True Altitude.

Azimuth

X
Q Equator Q1

The azimuth is the angle measured from North in a clockwise direction till the body(X).

PQ1 = 90 degrees Q1X = Declination XP = 90 - Declination

P
PX: Co-Declination

X
Q

XQ1: Declination

Equator Q1

LHA is the angle formed at the centre of the earth or the arc of the equator measured from the observers meridian to the meridian passing through the body measured in a WESTERLY direction. In this diagram, even though the measurement lies outside the triangle, the internal angle is acceptable. The reason for this is, for our calculations we use either the cos or Sin function, and cos X = cos (360-X) And Sin X = Sin (360-X) (absolute value)

LHA

X
Q Equator Q1

The point where a line drawn from a celestial body to the centre of the earth intersects the surface of the earth is defined as that bodys Geographical Position or its GP

X
GP of body X

Equator Q1

Putting it all together.

P
PZ: Co-Latitude PX: Co-Declination ZX: Zenith Distance Azimuth ZQ: Latitude LHA

GP of body X
C

X
Q

XQ1: Declination

Equator Q1

Now that we have revised the basics, and revisited the PZX triangle, lets look at the concept of Circles of equal Altitudes

Consider a circle drawn on the surface of the earth, with the GP of the body as its centre (X) and the zenith distance of the body (ZX) as its radius.

Celestial Body

Celestial Body X Z

The altitude of the body ( ) from any point on this circle would be the same.

Celestial Body

Celestial Body
900

X Z

Also, the distance of the GP (X) from the observer (Z) remains constant. In other words, the zenith distance (ZX) is the same from any point on the circle

Celestial Body

Celestial Body X Z

This circle is therefore called the Circle of Equal Altitudes or the Circle of equal Zenith Distance

Celestial Body

Celestial Body X Z

Therefore, if the altitude of a body is known, we can calculate the zenith distance(90-Altitude), and if its GP is known as well, we can plot the body on the sphere and draw a circle of Equal Zenith Distance. The observer will be somewhere on this circle. In other words we now have a position circle.

Celestial Body

Celestial Body X Z

Since it is a position circle, the observer is somewhere on this circle

Celestial Body

Celestial Body X Z

At this stage, lets consider another fact..

Celestial Body

X Z

If the observer walks directly AWAY from the body, the angle (altitude) becomes smaller and the Zenith distance (ZX) becomes larger.

Celestial Body

X Z

If the observer walks directly TOWARDS from the body, the angle (altitude) becomes LARGER and the Zenith distance (ZX) becomes SMALLER

Celestial Body

X Z

Or we can say: If the Zenith distance increases (the observer moves further away from the body), the altitude decreases and vice-versa

Celestial Body

X Z

The zenith distance obtained by subtracting the corrected sextant altitude from 90 is called the TRUE ZENITH DISTANCE or TZD The zenith distance obtained by solving the PZX triangle is called the CALCULATED ZENITH DISTANCE or CZD The difference between the TZD and CZD is called the INTERCEPT

Celestial Body

X Z

From the discussion in the previous few slides: If the TZD is smaller than the CZD, the observer is closer or TOWARDS the body If the TZD is greater than the CZD, the observer is further AWAY from the body So for ZENITH DISTANCES, we can say: TRUE TINY TOWARDS (if the true zenith distance is smaller(tinier) than the calculated zenith distance, the observer is closer to the body

Celestial Body

X Z

In real life, the distance from the observer to the GP of the body may be thousands of miles, making it impractical to plot on the chart. We therefore plot only a part of the above diagram on the chart

As the position circles of celestial bodies may have a diameter of thousands of miles, we can assume without much error that small segments of the circle are straight lines

In real life, the distance from the observer to the GP of the body may be thousands of miles, making it impractical to plot on the chart. We therefore plot only a part of the above diagram on the chart