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Where:
LHA = local hour angle
Dec = declination of the Sun
LAT = latitude of the observer
Az = Azimuth of the Sun
The formula can be solved by Nories table, by a calculator or by the spreadsheet.
THE EASY WAY TO FIND THE TRUE BEARING OF THE SUN AT SEA.
While sailing at sea using the GPS receiver usually we find the Distance and GC course to the
next waypoint.
From the spherical triangle the computed altitude
Hc = arcSin[Sin(DEC)xSin(LatA) + Cos(LatA)xCos(DEC)xCos(LHA)] 1.2
Azimuth Angle Z= arcCos[{Sin(DEC)-Sin(LatA)xSin(Hc)}/{Cos(LatA)xCos(Hc)}] 1.3
Method: For the Sun for the destination waypoint instead of using latitude and longitude we
will use the Geographacial Position GP of the Sun, i.e GHA and Declination.
GHA from 0 to +/-1800 E/W. If GHA is more than 1800 we should convert it to ( 3600-
1800)E.
Declination 0 to +/- 900 N/S.
Steps for determining the Azimuth of the Celestial body by GPS:
1. Vessel’s present position we have on GPS.
2. Enter destination point (Waypoint) coordinates: Geographical position GP of the sun,
for Latitude, is Declination of the celestial body N/S(+/-), for Longitude, is GHA of
the Sun/Planets, for the Star we have to add SHA to GHA
3. Calculate GC course and distance to the Waypoint
Example DR position Lat= 21o 45.60’ N, Long= 033o 143.60’ W
Destination Waypoints GP of the Sun GHA= 1130 09.3’W, DEC= 040 01.0’W
GC = 26205
To calculate the azimuth, it is necessary to use the coordinates of the vessel, which are usually
estimated. Azimuth calculated for estimated coordinates will also be estimated Ac. For
determining compass, error requires true azimuth A true. Errors in estimated coordinates Δφ
and Δλ will cause errors in azimuth ΔA = ΔA(φ) + ΔA(λ), which will enter into compass
error.
Will define the conditions under which the errors ΔA(φ) and ΔA(λ) can be neglected.
In the northern hemisphere for the second reason, in this case, we can use the North Star (its
azimuth close to 0 °).
ΔA t = -cosqcosqsech Δt (1.3)
Analyzing this formula, we can come to the following conclusions.
1. The error of ΔAλ depends on the height of the object and is smaller at its low height. The
i.e object of low altitude must be taken.
2.For the objects taken near the pole (if δ→90 °, then cosδ→ 0), the error in ΔAλ→ 0.
The so perfect object is the North Star.
In conclusion, we note another fact. The accuracy of the compass error affects not only by the
error of True Azimuth that we have discussed but errors in the gyro compass bearing. Error of
compass bearing also depends on the height of the object and is defined by the following
expression:
ΔA = ktgh (1.4)
k - the angle of the azimuth circle
Therefore, for accurate capture of gyro compass bearing (and to accurately determine the
compass correction) object must be taken at low altitude.
Reference:
1. Celestial Navigation R. Bruce Jones 2014
2. American Practical Navigator Nathaniel Bowditch 2002
3. Nautical Astronomy Boris Krasavtsev 2014
DATE 10.03.2015
TIME HOUR MINUTE SECOND
19 42 55
DEGREES MINUTE SECOND
LATITUDE 21 45.6
LONGITUDE -33 -14.6
GHA(HR) 102 25.8
ΔGHA 10.72916667 0
LHA 79.72916667 11.2 79.72917
DECLINATION(HR) -4 -1
ΔDECLINATION 1
DECLINATION -4 0.715277778
AZIMUTH 262.4976