Meridian Passage occurs when a celestial body crosses the observer’s meridian of longitude and at that instant, it will reach its greatest altitude above the observer’s horizon. The following diagrams will help to explain how the latitude can be calculated from the Sun’s declination and altitude at Mer. Pas.
Consider the following diagram:
NOS represents the horizon.
O represents the position of the observer.
X represents the position of the Sun.
Z represents the zenith which is an imaginary position exactly above the observer so that OZ is perpendicular to NOS.
Angle XOS represents the altitude of the Sun.
Angle XOZ equals 90o – Altitude.
There are three cases to consider:
Firstly, consider this diagram:
In this diagram where both latitude and declination are in the same hemisphere but latitude is greater than declination, the following is true:
Latitude = Declination + (90o-Altitude).
Now consider this diagram:
In this case, where latitude and declination are in the same hemisphere but declination is greater than latitude, the following is true:
Declination = (90o – Altitude) + Latitude
Therefore, Latitude = Declination – (90o – Altitude)
The third case is represented by this diagram.
In this case, where latitude and declination are in opposite hemispheres, the following is true: Latitude + Declination = (90o – Altitude)
Therefore, Latitude = (90o – Altitude) – Declination.
The rules for the three cases are summarised as follows:
(i) Latitude and declination same names but latitude greater than declination:
LAT = DEC + (90o – ALT)
(ii) Latitude and declination same names but declination greater than latitude:
LAT = DEC – (90o – ALT)
(iii) Latitude and declination opposite names:
LAT = (90o – ALT) – DEC
Example 1.
DR Latitude = 320 30’N.
Declination = N23o.43
Altitude at Mer. Pas. = 81o.143
(Lat and Dec same hemisphere; Lat > Dec = rule i)
LAT = Dec + (90o – ALT) – (rule i)
= 23o.43 + (90o – 81o.143)
= 23o.43 + 8o.857
=32o.287N = 32o 17’ 13″.2 N
Example 2.
DR Latitude = 60 10’N = 60.166N
Declination = S22o.82
Altitude at Mer. Pas. = 61o.55
(Opposite hemispheres = rule iii)
LAT = (90o – ALT) – Dec (rule iii)
= (90o – 61o.55) – 22o .82
= 28o.45 – 22o.82
= 5o.63
=05o 37’.8N
Example 3.
DR Latitude = 20 10’N. = 20.1N
Declination = N11o.86
Altitude at Mer. Pas.= 80o.2
(Same hemisphere; Dec. > Lat = rule ii)
LAT = Dec – (90o – ALT) – (rule ii)
= 11o.86 – (90o – 80o.2)
= 11o.86 – 9o.8
=2o.06N = 2o 3’.6N = 2o 3’ 36″N
Applying the Equation of Time when calculating longitude at the Sun’s meridian Passage.
Although the imaginary Mean Time gives us an accurate measurement of time, it presents the navigator with a problem. When fixing his position by an observation of the Sun, he measures the altitude of the True Sun which keeps apparent solar time. However, he notes the time of the observation from a deck watch that keeps mean solar time. To enable us to connect mean solar time with apparent solar time, we have the Equation of Time which is defined as follows:
Equation of Time = Mean solar time – Apparent Solar Time
therefore, Apparent Solar Time = Mean Solar Time – Equation of Time
and Mean Solar Time = Apparent Solar Time + Equation of Time
In other words, the equation of time is the difference between apparent solar time and mean solar time taken at the same instant at one place.
The equation of time can be either positive or negative depending on the time of the year.
- The values range from approximately +15 to -15 mins.
- The values are positive from 15th April to 14th June and from 1st September to 24th
- The values are negative from 15th June to 31st August and from 25th December to 14th
Nautical Almanac.
The Equation of Time for 00h (anti-meridian) and 12h (upper meridian) for each day is printed at the foot of the Nautical Almanac daily page as shown in this extract. The Local Mean Time of the Sun’s Meridian Passage is shown in the column to the right of the EOT. (This is the apparent time of Mer Pas adjusted for EOT to give the LMT and rounded up to the nearest minute).
If the time of Mer. Pas is shown to be greater than 1200 then the EOT must be positive, if less then negative.
To calculate longitude we simply find the difference between LMT of Mer. Pas. and the GMT of our observation of Mer. Pas. then, by converting the time difference to arc we are able to find the difference in degrees of longitude.
Links: Meridian Passage Short Method, Short Distance Sailing Formulae, What is the point of meridian passage? Zone Time, Local Hour Angle and Greenwich Hour Angle, Converting GMT to GHA , Altitude Corrections
Where to buy books of the Astro Navigation Demystified series:
Celestial Navigation at Amazon.com
Celestial Navigation at Amazon.uk
Astro Navigation Demystified at Amazon.com
Astro Navigation Demystified at Amazon.uk
Applying Mathematics to Astro Navigation at Amazon .com
Applying Mathematics to Astro Navigation at Amazon .uk
Astronomy for Astro Navigation at Amazon.com
Astronomy for Astro Navigation at Amazon.uk
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