Positional Astronomy: <br>Spherical trigonometry note

1 of 2

http://star-www.st-and.ac.uk/~fv/webnotes/chapter2a.htm

Positional Astronomy:

Spherical trigonometry note

The diagrams on the spherical trigonometry page are only correct
if the observer is imagined to be at a finite distance from the outside of the sphere,
as in this diagram.

If the observer is imagined to be infinitely far away,

the diagram should be drawn
with the z-axis emerging from the sphere a little way "in front of" the edge,
thus:

3.12.2016 16:49

Positional Astronomy: <br>Spherical trigonometry note

2 of 2

http://star-www.st-and.ac.uk/~fv/webnotes/chapter2a.htm

In my opinion, this version - although equally correct is slightly more difficult to understand.
So throughout the rest of these pages, I am using diagrams of the first type.
My thanks to Dr Friedrich Firneis of the Austrian Academy of Sciences,
to Ryu Izawa of the University of Colorado, USA,
and to engineering consultant David Bosher, who provided the diagram above
for helpful discussions on this point.
Return to "Spherical Astronomy".

3.12.2016 16:49