Celestial sphere

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It is an imaginary sphere covering the whole universe. The radius is infinity and the earth as well as the solar system is at the center of this sphere. This is used widely in astronomy where all the heavenly bodies are projected on to the surface of the sphere. All the points and terms used to identify this sphere are similar to the points on the earth. Example: North pole North celestial pole Earth equator - Celestial equator
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 Assuming that the earth is at the center of this sphere, then a point exactly above the observer is called zenith. Another point exactly below and opposite to the zenith is called nadir. All the stars or heavenly bodies are located on the surface of this imaginary sphere called the celestial sphere. The plane which passes the observer and perpendicular to the axis (zenith and nadir) is the horizon.

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Z Ncp

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Z Ncp N

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Z Ncp 90-

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Z Ncp 90- 90-(-S )

S S

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Z Ncp 90- (90-N ) N

R.A.

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90-N Z Ncp

90 -

90-N

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Z P

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Spherical Triangle
Spherical triangle is a triangle that is formed from three great circle on the spherical surface. The concept of the formation of spherical triangle :from the diagram, the three great circle EABDE, GACFG and HBCJH. Great circle EABDE intersect with the great circle GACFG at point A Great circle EABDE intersect with the great circle HBCJH at point B Great circle HBCJH intersect with great circle GACFG at point C.
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 The spherical triangle ABC is a triangle that is formed by these point A,B,C.
F

J C O E a b c A H
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G B

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Spherical Triangle ABC C

a b

c A
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Many shaper of spherical triangle but all sides must be parts of great circle. A

b A c

b B a C

B
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C
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Characteristic of spherical Triangle :

All the sides of a spherical triangle are in angular degree. Sides of a plane triangle are in linear measurement.
Plane triangle Spherical triangle

There are six parts involved:3 angular sides : a, b and c ; 3 included angles : A, B, and C.
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Spherical triangle ABC

c b O B a C

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Let the observer be at latitude (about 55 deg) Altitude NCP = latitude observer Z NCP W
Horizon

Observer Meridian

SCP
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E Nadir
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Declination Circle N is a great circle that passes the NCP, Star, SCP and is perpendicular with the celestial equator Z NCP W

Declination circle

SCP
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E
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 = altitude of the star is the vertical angle or elevation angle from the horizon to the star along the arc of the altitude circle. = declination of the star is the angle measured from celestial equator to the star along the arc of the declination circle. = observer latitude = altitude NCP

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Altitude circle is a great circle that passes the star, zenith and nadir. This circle is perpendicular with the horizontal plane. Z
NCP W
Altitude circle

Horizon

SCP
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E Nadir
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Astronomical Triangle pzs

Z
ZP = 90o - = COLATITUDE

P (NCP)
ZS = 90o - = ZENITH DISTANCE

SP = 90o - = POLAR DISTANCE

S (star)
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 Referring to the Astronomical triangle (PZS), the related angles : sides angles ZS = 90o - = ZENITH DISTANCE SP = 90o - = POLAR DISTANCE ZP = 90o - = COLATITUDE Included angles PZS = AZIMUTH ZPS = t , ( angular time ) ZSP = PARALATIC ANGLE
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Spherical Trigonometry Formula:

Several important formula that can be used depending the suitation. (a) Sine Formula
( sine A / sine a ) = ( sine B / sine b ) = ( sine C / sine c ) i.e: sine of the included angle is propotional to the sine of the opposite side

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Astronomical Triangle ABC

A
AB = 90o - = COLATITUDE

B
AC = 90o - = Zenith distance

BC = 90o - = Polar Distance

C
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(b) Cosine Formula Cos a = Cos b Cos c + Sin b Sin c Cos A Cos b = Cos a Cos c + Sin a Sin c Cos B Cos c = Cos a Cos b + Sin a Sin b Cos C

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(c) Four Parts Formula This formula is a manupulation of SINE and COSINE. General formula :
Cos (IS) Cos (IA) = Sin(IS) Cot (OS) - Sin (IA) Cot (OA)

whereIS = IA = OS = OA =

Inner Side Inner Angle Outer Side Outer Angle

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Cos (IS) Cos (IA) = Sin(IS) Cot (OS) - Sin (IA) Cot (OA)

A B
b a

C
IS IA OS OA = Inner Side = Inner Angle = Outer Side = Outer Angle

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Cos (IS) Cos (IA) = Sin(IS) Cot (OS) - Sin (IA) Cot (OA)

IS IA OS OA

= Inner Side = Inner Angle = Outer Side = Outer Angle

A B
b a

Example: Given b, c, A in a spherical triangle. Compute the angle C

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Formula for right angle spherical triangle: Defination: A right angle spherical triangle is a triangle where one of the included angle is 90o and fullfill Napiers Anologies. According to Napier anolagies, the spherical triangle must be divided into five parts that is two parts of adjacent sides angle with the right angle between them. Three parts will be opposite to the angle.
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Right angle Astronomical triangle

A
AB

B
AC BC

90

C
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 Right angle is C then 2 adjacent sides is CB ( i.e. a ) and CA( i.e. b). Three parts opposite to C is given as suplement angles to A, c and B is ( 90o - A ) ,( 90o - c ) and ( 90o - B ). There will be two formula in Napiers Anologies :
1) SINE ( middle part) = product TAN (adjacent parts) 2) SINE( middle part) = prtoduct COS(opposite part)

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Example : Given the value a , B dan C = 90o. Compute the value b. Solution : Using Napiers anologies :a = middle part b and ( 90o - B ) = adjacent sides Then:sin a = tan b tan ( 90o - B ) or tan b = sin a tan ( 90o - B )
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