Astro Navigation In A Nutshell Part 1

Part 1 – The Importance of Azimuth and Altitude. The theory of astro navigation depends on the ability to solve the spherical triangle PZX in the diagram below. The azimuth and altitude enable us to calculate the Local Hour Angle (LHA), declination and zenith distance of a celestial body which is the essential data that we need to calculate a position on the Earth’s surface.

The Azimuth is the angle PZX in the diagram (it is, the angle between the observer’s celestial meridian and the vertical circle through the celestial body). The Azimuth is similar to the bearing in that it is the angle between the observer’s meridian and the direction of the celestial body. However, whereas bearings are measured clockwise from north from 0^o to 360^o, azimuth is measured from 0^o to 180^o from either north or south. If the observer is in the northern hemisphere, the azimuth is measured from north and if in the southern hemisphere, it is measured from south. For example, if the true bearing is 045^o, in terms of azimuth it is either N45^oE for an observer is in the northern hemisphere or S135^oE for an observer in the southern hemisphere.

Local Hour Angle (LHA). LHA is the angle ZPX; that is the angle between the observer’s celestial meridian and the meridian of the celestial body.

Relationship between LHA and Azimuth. When the LHA is less than 180^o, the celestial body lies to the west of the observer’s meridian and when it is greater than 180^o it lies to the east. (Remember LHA is measured westwards from the observer’s meridian). It follows that if the celestial body is to the west of the observer’s meridian, the azimuth must be west and when to the east, the azimuth must be east. So we have the rule: LHA = 0^o – 180^o: Azimuth West. LHA = 180^o– 360^o : Azimuth East

The Altitude is the angle AOX in the diagram; (it is the angle from the celestial horizon to the celestial body measured along the vertical circle through the celestial body).

The Zenith Distance is the angular distance ZX measured along the same vertical circle from the zenith to the celestial body; that is the angle XOZ.

Relationship between Altitude and Zenith Distance Since the celestial meridian is a vertical circle and is therefore, perpendicular to the celestial horizon, it follows that angle AOZ is a right angle and angles AOX and XOZ are complementary angles. From this we can deduce that: Zenith Distance = 90^o – Altitude and Altitude = 90^o – Zenith Distance

Example. Suppose that from our true position, the calculated altitude of a celestial body is 32^o.34 and the compass bearing is 261^o. As explained above, Zenith Distance = 90^o – Altitude Therefore zenith distance = 90^o – 32^o.34 = 57^o.66 = 3,459.6′

Since 1 minute of arc subtends a distance of 1 nautical mile on the Earth’s surface, we know that the distance of the true position from the geographical position of the celestial body will be 3,459.6 nautical miles in the approximate direction of the compass bearing 261^o which when converted to azimuth is N99^oW for an observer in the northern hemisphere. (More on this in the next post).

However, because of the impracticability of plotting a position line of such an immense distance on a large scale navigational chart, this does not tell us our exact position.