Mine Surveying Astronomical Survey

Astronomy
Overview:
Astronomical terms and definitions, Introduction to field astronomy, determination of true meridian, latitude,
longitude and time including hour angle
1. Astronomical terms and definitions
The Celestial Sphere: The Celestial Sphere is an imaginary sphere having infinite radius, concentric with the
Earth and rotating from west to east on its own axis. All the celestial bodies (stars, etc.) of the above sky are
assumed to be projected (or rather appear to lie or to be studded) over the celestial sphere.

Fig 1.Celestial Sphere

The Zenith and Nadir: The point on the celestial sphere directly above a location or an observer which is
marked by plumb line is known as the Zenith (Z).
The point on the celestial sphere exactly below a location or an observer marked by plumb line is known as
the Nadir (Z’).

Fig 2 (a) Zenith-Nadir line and (b) Celestial Horizon

The Celestial Horizon: The great circle which is traced upon the celestial sphere by the plane perpendicular
to the Zenith-Nadir line, and which passes through the centre of the Earth is known as the celestial horizon,
also called True or Rotational Horizon or Geocentric Horizon.
The Terrestrial Poles and Equator: The two points where the axis of rotation of earth meets earth’s sphere
are known as the Terrestrial poles.
The Terrestrial Equator is the great circle of the earth, the plane of which is at right angles to the axis of
rotation.
The Celestial poles and equator: The indefinite extension of the earth’s axis of rotation in both directions
will meet the celestial sphere in two points called the North and South celestial poles (P and P’).
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Mine Surveying Astronomical Survey
The celestial equator is the great circle of the celestial sphere in which it is intersected by the plane of terrestrial
equator at right angles.

Fig 3 Terrestrial and Celestial Poles, and Equator.

The Sensible (Astronomical) Horizon: It is a circular plane tangential to the earth’s surface (or perpendicular
to the Zenith-Nadir line) which passes through the point of observation and intersects the celestial sphere.
The Visible Horizon: It is a circle of contact, with the earth, of the cone of visual rays passing through the
point of observation. The circle of contact is a small circle of the earth and its radius depends on the altitude
of the point of observation.

S
Fig 4 : Sensible/astronomical horizon; visible horizon and true horizon

Vertical Circle: A vertical circle of the celestial sphere is a great circle passing through the Zenith and Nadir.
They all cut the celestial horizon at right angles.

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Fig 5 Vertical Circle

The Observer’s Meridian: The circle which passes through the Zenith and Nadir of a point as well as the
poles is known as the meridian of any particular point. It is thus a vertical circle.

Fig 6 Observer’s Meridian (Vertical circle through North-South poles)

The Prime Vertical: The particular vertical circle which is at right angles to the observer’s meridian, and
which, therefore passes through the east and west point of horizon is known as the prime vertical.

Fig 7 Prime Vertical

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The Latitude (θ): The angular distance of any point on the earth’s surface, north or south of the equator, and
is measured on the meridian of the point is known as the latitude. The latitude is also defined as the angle
between the Zenith and the celestial equator.
The Co-latitude (C): The co-latitude of a place is the angular distance from the zenith to the pole. It is the
compliment of the latitude and equal to (900-θ).
The Longitude (Ø): The longitude of a place is the angle between a fixed reference meridian called the prime
or first meridian and the meridian of the place. The prime meridian universally adopted is that of Greenwich
(where Ø = 00). The longitude of any place varies between 00 to 1800, and is reckoned as Ø0 east or west of
Greenwich.

Fig 8. θ= Latitude; C= Co-latitude; Ø= Longitude.

The Altitude (α): The altitude of celestial or heavenly (celestial) body is its angular distance above the
horizon, measured on the vertical circle passing through the body.
The Co-altitude or Zenith Distance (z): It is the angular distance of heavenly (celestial) body from the
zenith. It is the compliment of the altitude, i.e., z = (900-α).
The Azimuth (A): The azimuth of a heavenly (celestial) body is the angle between the observer’s meridian
and the vertical circle passing through the body.
The Declination (δ): The declination of a heavenly (celestial) body is angular distance from the plane of the
equator, measured along the star’s meridian generally called the declination circle, (i.e., great circle passing
through the heavenly (celestial) body and the celestial pole). Declination varies from 00 to 900, and is marked
+ or – according as the body is north or south of the equator.
Co-declination or Polar Distance (ρ): It is the angular distance of the heavenly (celestial) body from the near
pole. It is the complement of the declination, i.e., ρ = 900-δ.
Hour-Circle: The great circles passing through the north and south celestial poles are known as Hour circles.
The declination circle of a heavenly (celestial) body is thus its hour circle.
The Hour Angle: The hour angle of a heavenly (celestial) body is the angle between the observer’s meridian
and the declination circle passing through the body. The hour angle is always measured westwards.