Celestial Navigation Summary
Celestial Navigation Summary
Celestial Navigation Summary
Total Correction (Tot. Corrn) Lower Limb (LL): + Upper Limb (UL): -
Note:
1. UL or LL is only applicable for the Sun and the Moon because they appear as large discs
to the observer.
2. For STARS & PLANETS, total correction is given in a separate table from the Sun and is
always to be subtracted.
3. In the case of Venus and Mars, one more correction called 'Additional correction' is to
be applied.
The apparent altitude is obtained as explained Total correction for the Moon is given in the
inside part of the back cover of the Nautical Almanac.
1. HP stands for Horizontal Parallax of the Moon. It is obtained from that day's page of the
Almanac, alongside the declination.
2. Both main and HP corrections are always positive.
3. For UL, 30° has to be subtracted from the total to get true altitude.
Semi Diameter: Lower Limb (LL): - Upper Limb (UL): + not as usual
Tan LAT
A=
Tan P
Tan Dec
B=
Sin P
1
𝑇𝑎𝑛 𝐴𝑧 =
𝐶. 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝐿𝐴𝑇
Factor A Named Opposite to Lat Except when: 90° < 𝐿𝐻𝐴 < 270°
Factor B Named Same as Declination.
Factor 𝑪 = 𝐴 ± 𝐵
N E
or AZ or
S W
Naming of Azimuth:
Suffix (E or W): IF 000° < 𝐿𝐻𝐴 < 180° ↔ 𝑊 , 180° < 𝐿𝐻𝐴 < 360° ↔ 𝐸
Amplitude (Sun)
sin Amp = Sin Dec × Sec Lat
Rising
E N
or AMP or Same as Declination
Setting
W S
2. If Lat and dec are same name (-), contrary names (+).Hence in the formula, (-) has been
put above the (+)
3. Before Meridian Passage ↔ 180° < 𝐿𝐻𝐴 < 360°
4. After Meridian Passage ↔ 000° < 𝐿𝐻𝐴 < 180°
5. Direction on Position Line : (AZ-90°) – (AZ+90°)
Intercept – SUN
𝐻𝑎𝑣 𝐶𝑍𝐷 = 𝐻𝑎𝑣 𝐿𝐻𝐴 × 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝐿 × 𝐶𝑜𝑠 𝐷 + 𝐻𝑎𝑣 (𝐿~𝐷)
Cos CZD = (Cos P × Cos Lat × Cos Dec) ± (Sin Lat × Sin Dec)
1. If Lat and dec are same name (+), contrary names (-).Hence in the formula, (+) has been
put above the (-)
2. Intercept= 𝐶𝑍𝐷 − 𝑇𝑍𝐷
3. 𝐶𝑍𝐷 > 𝑇𝑍𝐷 → Intercept Toward
4. 𝐶𝑍𝐷 < 𝑇𝑍𝐷 → Intercept Away
Note: Near the meridian means that working is to be by the ex-meridian method.
There are 3 different ways to obtain MZD:
1. By Nautical Tables
2. By Haversine Formula: