GEODETIC ASTRONOMY

LATITUDE FROM ALTITUDE OF A STAR

SIDE VIEW MERIDIAN
CROSSING
DECLINATION IS
COMPUTED FROM
ALMANAC / TAKEN
FROM
ASTRONOMY
SOFTWARE

ALTITUDE IS MEASURED
LATITUDE : EZ HP
The altitude of Polaris was observed during its upper culmination and was
recorded to be 14⁰28’17”. During the instant of observation, the North Polar
Distance of Polaris equals 01⁰02’16”. What is the latitude of the place of
observation?
 ZENITH

POSITION OF POLARIS?
HORIZON
RECALL: UPPER CULMINATION

EASTERN
WESTERN
ELONGATION
ELONGATION

NORTH POLE

LOWER CULMINATION
 UPPER CULMINATION

ABOVE NORTH POLE

BELOW NORTH POLE

NORTH POLE

LOWER CULMINATION
 LATITUDE : EZ HP ABOVE NORTH POLE
ZENITH

01⁰02’16”
LATITUDE:
13⁰26’01” N
14⁰28’17”

HORIZON

The altitude of Polaris was observed during its upper culmination

and was recorded to be 14⁰28’17”
North Polar Distance of Polaris equals 01⁰02’16”

LATITUDE = ALTITUDE - NPD LATITUDE = 14⁰28’17” - 01⁰02’16”

Polaris during lower culmination was observed to determine the latitude of a
place. If the recorded zenith distance equals 53⁰25’12” and the declination
of Polaris was 88⁰56’55” N, compute the latitude of the place.
 lower culmination BELOW NORTH POLE
ZENITH

zenith distance of Polaris

53⁰25’12” 53⁰25’12”

declination of Polaris
equals 88⁰56’55” NPD

ALTITUDE

HORIZON

LATITUDE : EZ HP 88⁰56’55”

LATITUDE = ALTITUDE + NPD

LATITUDE = (90-ZD) + (90 – δ)
 ABOVE NORTH POLE
ZENITH

LATITUDE = (90-ZD) + (90 – δ) 53⁰25’12”

LATITUDE = (90 - 53⁰25’12”) +

NPD
(90 - 88⁰56’55”)

ALTITUDE

HORIZON

88⁰56’55”
ANSWER

LATITUDE = 37⁰37’53” N
During an astronomical survey, the altitude of Polaris currently in upper
culmination was recorded to be 33⁰47’20” and the NPD equals 00⁰59’10”.
Given the following corrections:

parallax: 00⁰23’18”
refraction: 00⁰37’00”
index error: 00⁰00’30”

Compute the latitude of the place of observation.

 ABOVE NORTH POLE
ZENITH

59’10”

33⁰47’20”

HORIZON

LATITUDE : EZ HP
LATITUDE = ALTITUDE - NPD
RECALL: INDEX ERROR SHOULD BE SUBTRACTED

FROM THE MEASURED ALTITUDE

REFRACTION ERROR
SHOULD BE SUBTRACTED
FROM THE MEASURED VALUE
PARALLAX ERROR
SHOULD BE ADDED
FOR COMBINED
FROM THE ALTITUDE PARALLAX AND
REFRACTION: SUBTRACT
LATITUDE = ALTITUDE - NPD

ALTITUDE = 33⁰47’20” + PARALLAX – REFRACTION – INDEX ERROR

parallax: 00⁰23’18”
refraction: 00⁰37’00”
index error: 00⁰00’30”

ALTITUDE = 33⁰33’08”

LATITUDE = 33⁰33’08” - 00⁰59’10”

ANSWER

LATITUDE = 32⁰33’58” N
A south-bearing star crossed the meridian of the observer and the
recorded altitude was 55⁰10’09”. If the NPD of the star equals
79⁰30’28”, what is the latitude of the place?
LATITUDE : EZ HP LATITUDE = ZD + δ
ZENITH

ZD

79⁰30’28”
δ
SOUTH NORTH

HORIZON
55⁰10’09”

south-bearing star
LATITUDE = ZD + δ

ZD = 90 - ALTITUDE ZD = 90 - 55⁰10’09”
ZD = 34⁰49’51”

δ = 90 - NPD δ = 90 - 79⁰30’28”

δ = 10⁰29’32”

LATITUDE = 34⁰49’51” + 10⁰29’32”

ANSWER

LATITUDE = 45⁰19’23” N
ORIENTATION ON EARTH:
AZIMUTH OF A STAR
THE CELESTIAL SPHERE TOP VIEW

NORTH

STATION HORIZONTAL ANGLE

WEST EAST

AZIMUTH OF
THE LINE AZIMUTH OF THE STAR

SOUTH
 TERRESTRIAL
NORTH POLE

AZIMUTH OF THE STAR

AZIMUTH OF THE LINE

TOP VIEW

NORTH

STATION

WEST EAST

AZIMUTH

SOUTH
ORIENTATION USING NO KNOWN POINTS

GEODETIC ASTRONOMY

PZS TRIANGLE
PZS TRIANGLE

NORTH POLE
ZENITH

Z P

S
PZS TRIANGLE

90˚- φ
Z
P ZENITH
POLE

φ
S
HORIZON
PZS TRIANGLE

90˚- φ
Z
POLE
P

90˚- δ
δ
EQUATOR
S
PZS TRIANGLE

90˚- φ
Z
P ZENITH

90˚- h
90˚- δ

h
S
HORIZON
PZS TRIANGLE

90˚- φ
P
Z
z t

90˚- δ
90˚- h PA

S
Match the following symbols:
h
______i. P a. North Polar Distance
b
______ii. Z b. zenith
d
______iii. S c. Bearing
c
______iv. z d. star
i
______v. t e. zenith distance
g
______vi. PA f. co-latitude
a
______vii. 90-δ g. parallactic angle
e
______viii. 90-H h. North Pole
f
______ix. 90-φ i. hour angle
ANGLE z

TERRESTRIAL
NORTH POLE

z z
WEST EAST
 NORTH POLE

z
z

WEST EAST

SOUTH POLE
AZIMUTH OF A STAR USING ANGLE z

CULMINATION

ELONGATION

GENERAL CASE
DECLINATION-LATITUDE-ALTITUDE
DECLINATION-LATITUDE-HOUR ANGLE
ANGLE z: CULMINATION
P
NORTH POLE

z = 0⁰ S

WEST EAST
ANGLE z: ELONGATION

90˚- φ
P
Z
z t

90˚- δ
90˚- h PA
PA = 90˚

S
ANGLE z: ELONGATION

SIN NPD
SIN z =
COS φ

SIN P
SIN z =
COS L

*using sine law for spherical triangles

Polaris was observed at its greatest western elongation in Manila. The polar distance of the
star during the observation was 1⁰05’30” and the latitude of the place of observation equals
14⁰34’ N. Compute the azimuth of Polaris.

western elongation
z = 01⁰07’40.54”
SIN P NORTH
SIN z =
COS L z
SIN 1⁰05’30”
WEST EAST
SIN z =
COS 14⁰34’ 180⁰ - Z

azimuth of Polaris = 178⁰52’19.46”

SOUTH
If the azimuth of Polaris during its eastern elongation was 180⁰00’38” at a place whose latitude
equals 14⁰25’00” N, compute the declination of Polaris at the instant of observation.

SIN P eastern elongation

SIN z =
COS L z
azimuth of Polaris = 180⁰ + z
SIN P
SIN 00’38” = z = 00⁰00’38”
COS 14⁰25’00”

SIN P = (COS 14⁰25’00”) SIN 00’38”

P = 00⁰00’36.80”
δ = 89⁰59’23.2” SOUTH

δ = 90⁰ - P
ANGLE z: GENERAL CASE DECLINATION-LATITUDE-ALTITUDE

90˚- φ
P
Z
z t 3 SIDES AND 1 ANGLE

90˚- δ
90˚- h PA

S
sin δ - sin φ sin h
cos z =
cos φ cos h *using cosine law for spherical triangles
An east-bearing star’s altitude was recorded to be 35⁰18’23”. At the same instant, the declination
of the star was taken from the almanac and was found out to be 24⁰24’55” N. If the latitude of the
place was 14⁰30’05” N, compute the azimuth of the star.

DECLINATION-LATITUDE-ALTITUDE NORTH

sin δ - sin φ sin h

cos z = z
cos φ cos h azimuth of the star = 180⁰ + Z

sin 24⁰24’55” - sin 14⁰30’05” sin 35⁰18’23” EAST

cos z =
cos 14⁰30’05” cos 35⁰18’23”

z = 70⁰07’22.8”
SOUTH

azimuth of the star = 250⁰07’22.8”

A stellar observation was made to determine the azimuth of line AB by observing an altitude of a
star which was recorded to be 28⁰36’48” (star bearing west). The latitude of place of observation
was found to be 39⁰14’12” N and the declination of star at the instant of observation was 10⁰52’18”
S. The horizontal angle from station B to the star measured clockwise is 85⁰20’04”. Compute the
azimuth of AB.

DECLINATION-LATITUDE-ALTITUDE
sin δ - sin φ sin h
δ = 10⁰52’18” S cos z =
cos φ cos h
φ = 39⁰14’12”
h = 28⁰36’48”
sin -10⁰52’18” - sin 39⁰14’12” sin 28⁰36’48”
cos z =
cos 39⁰14’12” cos 28⁰36’48”

z = 136⁰17’35.71”
 z = 136⁰17’35.71” horizontal angle from station B to the star
measured clockwise is 85⁰20’04”
(star bearing west)

NORTH

azimuth of AB = 360⁰ - (HA – (180⁰ - z))

180⁰ - z z azimuth of AB = 318⁰22’20.29”

WEST A

HA HA – (180⁰ - z)
B

SOUTH
ANGLE z: GENERAL CASE DECLINATION-LATITUDE-HOUR ANGLE

90˚- φ
P
Z
Z t

90˚- δ
90˚- h PA

sin t
tan z = S
tan δ cos φ - sin φ cos t

*using cotangent four-part formula for spherical triangles

A station at 42⁰20’ N was occupied by an observer. Using a reference mark, an angle equal to
62⁰40’ was measured from azimuth mark to Polaris (bearing east) clockwise. If the hour angle
of Polaris is 45⁰30’ and the declination of Polaris is equal to 86⁰40’, compute:

Azimuth of Polaris
Azimuth of the line from observer to reference mark
Altitude of Polaris at the instant of observation

DECLINATION-LATITUDE-HOUR ANGLE
δ = 86⁰40’ φ = 42⁰20’ t = 45⁰30’

sin t Azimuth of Polaris

tan z =
tan δ cos φ - sin φ cos t NORTH
sin 45⁰30’ z
tan z =
tan 86⁰40’ cos 42⁰20’ - sin 42⁰20’ cos 45⁰30’

z = 03⁰20’25.29” EAST

azimuth of Polaris = 180⁰ + z

azimuth of Polaris = 183⁰20’25.29” SOUTH

Azimuth of the line from observer to reference mark
Using a reference mark, an angle equal to 62⁰40’ was measured from azimuth mark to
Polaris (bearing east) clockwise.

NORTH
z = 03⁰20’25.29”
HA z
azimuth of the line = 180⁰ + z - HA

EAST

azimuth of the line = 120⁰40’25.29”

SOUTH
 Altitude of Polaris at the instant of observation

90˚- φ
P SIN (90˚- h) SIN (90˚- δ)
=
Z SIN t SIN z
z t
SIN t cos δ
90˚- δ cos h =
PA SIN z
90˚- h
SIN 45⁰30’ cos 86⁰40’
cos h = SIN 03⁰20’25.29”

δ = 86⁰40’ z = 03⁰20’25.29” t = 45⁰30’ h = 44⁰37’20.45”

AZIMUTH FROM ANGLE A
ANGLE A

AFTERNOON MORNING

TERRESTRIAL
NORTH POLE

A
WEST EAST

A
 NORTH

WEST EAST

A A

SOUTH
ANGLE A
𝑨
cot ( ) = √ sec (S) sec (S-P) sin (S-H) sin (S-L)
𝟐

𝑷+𝑯+𝑳
S=
𝟐

P : NORTH POLAR DISTANCE

H : ALTITUDE
L : LATITUDE
SOLAR OBSERVATION: TANGENCY METHOD
TANGENCY METHOD
One of the methods in solar observation in which four altitude
readings were being taken to complete a set of observation.
 HORIZONTAL
TIME ZENITH ANGLE
CIRCLE READING

DIRECT 357°50’12” 8:30:18 48°31’50”

DIRECT 358°02’37” 8:30:51 48°35’26”
REVERSE 177°51’37’ 8:31:09 311°24’32”
REVERSE 178°02’31” 8:31:37 311°27’25”
Below were the data gathered from a solar observation:

Station Occupied: P-1

Station Observed: P-2

Latitude of P-1: 14°00’15” N

Date of Observation: November 7, 1987
Declination of the Sun from Table: 15°24’00” S
NPD Hourly Variation: 28.15”
Index Error: 15”

Parallax Correction: 01’10” HORIZONTAL

Correction for Refraction: 02’05” CIRCLE TIME ZENITH ANGLE
READING
357°50’12” 8:30:18 48°31’50”
358°02’37” 8:30:51 48°35’26”
177°51’37’ 8:31:09 311°24’32”
178°02’31” 8:31:37 311°27’25”
STEPS IN COMPUTATION OF AZIMUTH FROM SOLAR OBSERVATION:

1. GET THE MEAN ALTITUDE

2. APPLY THE CORRECTIONS TO THE MEAN ALTITUDE
3. COMPUTE THE CORRECTION FOR NPD
4. APPLY THE NPD CORRECTION
5. COMPUTE THE VALUE OF “S”
6. COMPUTE ANGLE “A” AND THE AZIMUTH OF THE SUN
7. GET THE MEAN HORIZONTAL ANGLE READING
8. COMPUTE THE AZIMUTH OF THE LINE
a. Mean altitude of the sun

HORIZONTAL
TIME ZENITH ANGLE
CIRCLE READING

DIRECT 357°50’12” 8:30:18 48°31’50”

DIRECT 358°02’37” 8:30:51 48°35’26”

REVERSE 177°51’37’ 8:31:09 360° - 311°24’32”

REVERSE 178°02’31” 8:31:37 360° - 311°27’25”

AVERAGE = 48°33’49.75”

MEAN ALTITUDE = 90° - AVERAGE

MEAN ALTITUDE = 90° - 48°33’49.75”

MEAN ALTITUDE = 41°26’10.25”

b. Corrected altitude

MEAN ALTITUDE = 41°26’10.25”

Index Error: 15”

Parallax Correction: 01’10”
Correction for Refraction: 02’05”

H = MEAN ALTITUDE – INDEX + PARALLAX - REFRACTION

H = 41°26’10.25” – 15” + 01’10” – 02’05”

H = 41°25’00.25”
c. Correction for NPD

HORIZONTAL
CIRCLE TIME ZENITH ANGLE
NPD Hourly Variation: 28.15”
READING
357°50’12” 8:30:18 48°31’50”
358°02’37” 8:30:51 48°35’26”
177°51’37’ 8:31:09 311°24’32”
178°02’31” 8:31:37 311°27’25”

AVERAGE = 08:30:58.75
MORNING
NPD CORRECTION = HOURLY VARIATION X (AVERAGE – 08:00)
NPD CORRECTION = 28.15” X (08:30:58.75 – 08:00)
NPD CORRECTION = 14.53”
d. Corrected NPD

Date of Observation: November 7, 1987

Declination of the Sun from Table: 15°24’00” S (DECLINATION AT 08:00 AM)

DECLINATION AT 08:00 AM = 15°24’00” S

NPD AT 08:00 AM = 90° - 15°24’00” S
NPD AT 08:00 AM = 90° - (-15°24’00”)
NPD AT 08:00 AM = 105°24’00”

COMPUTE THE NPD AT 08:30:58.75 AM (AVERAGE TIME READING)

NPD AT 08:30:58.75 AM = CORRECTED NPD

CORRECTED NPD = NPD AT 08:00 AM ?NPD CORRECTION

 SUN’S POSITION

23⁰30’ N

0⁰ 0⁰
δ 0⁰
MARCH 21 JUNE 21 SEPTEMBER 21 DECEMBER 21 MARCH 21

DECREASING DECLINATION
INCREASING NPD
23⁰30’ S
d. Corrected NPD

Date of Observation: November 7, 1987

Declination of the Sun from Table: 15°24’00” S (DECLINATION AT 08:00 AM)

DECLINATION AT 08:00 AM = 15°24’00” S

NPD AT 08:00 AM = 90° - 15°24’00” S
NPD AT 08:00 AM = 90° - (-15°24’00”)
NPD AT 08:00 AM = 105°24’00”

COMPUTE THE NPD AT 08:30:58.75 AM (AVERAGE TIME READING)

NPD AT 08:30:58.75 AM = CORRECTED NPD

CORRECTED NPD = NPD AT 08:00 AM + NPD CORRECTION

CORRECTED NPD = 105°24’00” + 14.53”

CORRECTED NPD = 105°24’14.53”

e. “S” in the formula for angle A

𝑷+𝑯+𝑳
S=
𝟐
CORRECTED NPD = 105°24’14.53” P
H = 41°25’00.25” (CORRECTED ALTITUDE)

Latitude of P-1: 14°00’15” N (GIVEN) L

S = 80°24’44.89”
f. Azimuth of the sun

𝑨
cot ( ) = √ sec (S) sec (S-P) sin (S-H) sin (S-L)
𝟐

S = 80°24’44.89” AZIMUTH OF THE SUN = 360° - A

P = 105°24’14.53”
H = 41°25’00.25” MORNING
L = 14°00’15”

A = 54°11’32.94”
A

AZIMUTH OF THE SUN = 305°48’27.06”

g. Mean horizontal angle

HORIZONTAL
CIRCLE TIME ZENITH ANGLE
READING
DIRECT 357°50’12” 8:30:18 48°31’50”
DIRECT 358°02’37” 8:30:51 48°35’26”
REVERSE 180° + 177°51’37’ 8:31:09 311°24’32”
REVERSE 180° + 178°02’31” 8:31:37 311°27’25”

AVERAGE = 357°56’44.25”
h. Azimuth of the line from P-1 to P-2

MEAN HORIZONTAL ANGLE = 357°56’44.25”

(ANGLE FROM AZIMUTH MARK TO SUN CLOCKWISE)

AZIMUTH OF THE SUN

P-1
MHA

P-2

AZIMUTH OF THE LINE = AZIMUTH OF THE SUN + (360° - MHA)

AZIMUTH OF THE LINE = 305°48’27.06” + (360° - 357°56’44.25”)
AZIMUTH OF THE LINE = 307°51’42.81”
PRACTICE