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ITS HISTORY...
INTRODUCTION
position of an object
uses a sphere (celestial sphere) as its
reference body
use of the fact that there are 360
degrees in a circle
coordinates are usually written in
degrees, minutes, and seconds
CELESTIAL COORDINATE SYSTEM...
Astronomical horizon
(Celestial horizon)
Epoch
a moment in time used as a reference for the
orbital elements of a celestial body
either the moment an observation was made or
the moment for which a prediction was
calculated
Julian years - a year of exactly 365.25 days
○ Ex. J2000.0 coordinates
Besselian years - beginning of a Besselian
year to be the moment at which the mean
longitude of the Sun is exactly 280 degrees
○ Ex. B1900.0 coordinates, B1950.0 coordinates
EQUATORIAL COORDINATE SYSTEM
Example:
Star = Einstein Cross
RA = 22h 37m Dec = +03o05' (according to B1950.0
coordinates)
RA = 22h 37m Dec = +03o 21' (according to J2000.0 coordinates)
NAUTICAL ALMANAC...
Example:
Horizon to equatorial transformation.
Convert horizon coordinates
azimuth= 283°16'16" and latitude =
19°20'04" to equatorial coordinates.
The observer is at the Greenwich
meridian, 52° N, and GST (Greenwich
Sidereal Time) is 0h24m05s.
TRANSFORMATION OF COORDINATES
Answer:
Steps:
To find δ (Dec):
1. convert azimuth and altitude to decimal degrees
2. find δ using eqn .A
3. convert δ in degrees, minutes, and seconds form
To find α (RA):
1. find H using eqn.B (answer is in degree hours)
2. convert degree hours H to decimal hours
3. convert GST to decimal hours
4. find α using eqn.D (answer in decimal hours)
5. convert decimal hour to hours, minutes, seconds
form
TRANSFORMATION OF COORDINATES
The Quadrant
does not
require the
view of the
horizon to find
altitude unlike
most other
instruments
used to find
altitude.
CROSS STAFF
Cross-staff is restricted
from around 20° to 60°.
therefore it is impossible
to use the Cross-staff in
low latitude regions.
ASTROLABE
The Mariner's
Astrolabe (left)
is the adapted
version of the
Astrolabe used
solely for
navigation
MARINER’S ASTROLABE
Circa 1594
Intention: Improvement over
Mariners’ Quadrants
Astrolabes
Cross-staves
BACK-STAFF : CONSTRUCTION
graduated staff
a half-cross in the shape of an arc of a
circle on the radius of the staff with a
fixed vane
a brass horizon vane with a slit in it at
the fore-end of the staff.
BACK-STAFF : USAGE
Illustration:
OCTANT : USAGE
To the Sextant:
Same operation/usage
Reduction in radius helps reduce weight
OCTANT : REMARKS
One of the first instruments that could measure
angle with sufficient accuracy
The observer need only to look at one place while
adjusting the instrument
Prevents ocular parallax
Reading is not affected by the rolling and pitching
of the ship
Glare from the sunlight is reduced when observing
the Sun using the Octant (compared to the
Quadrant or the Cross-staff)
OCTANT : REMARKS
AKA Nocturlabe
1272
Calculates the time at night
NOCTURNAL : BASIS
Harrison Number 1
1735
Balance ring with two 5-pound weights
connected by brass arcs replace the
pendulum
Weights balances the spring during tilts and
turns by the sea
Total weight: 72 pounds
CHRONOMETER : H1
CHRONOMETER : H2
Harrison Number 2
1739
Tall and heavier, but took up less space
Innovation: The remontoire mechanism
ensures that the force on the
escapement is constant, thus improving
the accuracy of the clock
CHRONOMETER : H2
CHRONOMETER : H3
Harrison Number 3
1741
Similar to H2, but smaller, lighter, had
circular balances instead of dumbbell
shapes
A bi-metallic curb was used to allow for
variations in temperature
Impossible to adjust without dismantling
and re-assembling
CHRONOMETER : H3
CHRONOMETER : H4
Harrison Number 4
Breakthrough: 5.25 inches
Oil was used as lubricants
to minimize the problems of ageing oil, Harrison
used wheels and pinions with a great number of
teeth that increased the efficiency of the clock
lost 5 seconds in 2 months
corresponded to an error in longitude of only
1.25 minutes
CHRONOMETER : H4
CHRONOMETER : H5
Harrison Number 5
1772
Harrison’s final longitude time-keeper
Mechanically very similar to H4.
INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM
and...
defy gravity
GYROSCOPE: HISTORY