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Nautical almanac entries to convert sextant altitude to
True altitude
1. Sextant altitude.
2. Index error.

Off the arc Add/ on the arc Subtract

3. Observed altitude.
4. Dip Correction

Always Subtracted

5. Apparent Altitude.
6. (a) Total Correction
Stars / Planets(-)
UL/LL(UL-/LL+) HP(+) MC(+)

Sun UL/LL (UL-/LL+)

(b) Additional correction for phase Refraction

Moon

Venus / Mars

7. True Altitude.
8. True Zenith distance (TZD)

90 0 True Altitude.

NOTE: (i) In case of back angle complete up to step 4 using sextant altitude and
obtain observed altitude more than 900, i.e., Back angle.
(ii)Obtain apparent altitude by subtracting the corrected Back Angle
from 180

(iii) Continue from step 6 to obtain TZD.

(iv)in back angles LL-/UL+

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CALCULATING ACCURATE TIME OF SUNRISE SUNSET AND

TWILIGHT FOR A GIVEN

DR POSITION.

1. Go to the daily page of the required day/date for which sunrise, set, twilight is
required.
2. Write down the time tabulated for the two latitudes that contains the DR latitude.
3. Interpolate and obtain the time for the required DR latitude. This is the correction
required to be applied.
4. Apply this correction to time for the lesser of the tabulated latitude. This is the
LMT for sunrise/set/ twilight.
5. Convert the given DR longitude in to LIT.
6. Use formula LMT = GMT + LIT (East) OR LMT = GMT LIT (West).
7. This is the sunrise, set, twilight for the middle day. (This can be taken as the time
for all three days on the page). For more accurate value proceed further.
8. If time required is for the top day then go to the previous page. If time is required
for the bottom day then go to the next page.
9. Calculate GMT of sun rise, set, twilight using instructions at steps 1 to 6 above
10. Calculate the difference between times at step 6 and 9. This is for 3 days.
Therefore divide the value by 3 to obtain value for 1 day.
11. Apply the correction to the time obtained in step 6. (Check if the previous page
or next page is increasing or decreasing. apply the correction accordingly. That is
increasing add and decreasing subtract.)

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CALCULATING ACCURATE TIME OF MOONRISE AND

MOONSET T FOR A GIVEN

DR POSITION.
1. Enter the Nautical almanac with the latitude as done for sunrise/set and extract
the tabulated time for that day. Also extract the tabulated time for the PREVIOUS
day in case DR longitude is EAST and the NEXT day if DR longitude is WEST.
2. Interpolate for both days and obtain the time for both days.
3. Calculate the difference in time between times obtained for both days.
4. Calculate correction for longitude by dividing the difference by 360 and
multiplying by the longitude.
5. Apply this correction (by adding or subtracting) to the time obtained for that day
so the corrected time falls between the two days for which tabulated times were
extracted in step 1.
Note: (a) The moonrise and set may not happen on a particular day (approximately
once a month) and the tabulated time will be more than 24 hours. In such cases
take the day on which the actual time (less than 24 hours) is given
(b) The general rule of subtract correction for east longitudes and add correction for
west longitudes may not hold good for moon, particularly in higher latitudes.
Therefore ensure the calculated time falls between the two days for which the times
were extracted.
(c) The time against latitudes are tabulated for four days to facilitate easy
interpolation.

CORRECTION = (difference in time (in min)long)/360

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CALCULATING AZIMUTH
A. This calculation is required for
1. To obtain gyro error and magnetic compass deviation.
2. To find the bearing of a heavenly body and to off-set the position line in
that direction ( used
in intercept method)

B. Basic quantities required.

1. DR position at the time of observation (Latitude and Longitude) May be
obtained from chart.
2. Exact GMT at the time of observation. (Use LIT, standard time OR Zone
time to calculate as
the case may be).
3. LHA of The body at the time of observation.
4. Declination at the time of observation.

C. Procedure.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Convert LMT, Standard time OR zone time in to GMT.

Open daily pages for the particular day and date.
Read from the respective column for the heavenly body observed.
Write down GHA (GHA Aries for stars) for the whole hour of GMT and the

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PROCEDURES FOR CALCULATIONS
tabulated declination.
Also write down the values of v and d by the side of
GHA and DEC. as follows.
GHA for the whole hour

dec for the hour

d
(+)
Increment for the minute and second
subtract depending on
is increasing or decreasing)
GHA (observed)
Add

d correction

( add or
whether dec

v (+/-) v correction
Declination (observed)

SHA (star). [Not required for Sun, moon, planets]

GHA (object)

(+/-) Long

(add east long or subtract west)

LHA object.

5. Calculate

A = Tan (lat)/ Tan (LHA) or A=TAN lat/TAN P

B = Tan (dec)/ sin( LHA) or

B=TAN dec/TAN P

C = A+B [ algebraic sum]

and

Tan (Azimuth) = 1/ C * cos (lat)

OR

Azimuth = Tan-1 (1/c*cos lat)

*NOTE : If LHA<1800 ,P = LHA . If LHA > 1800,P=(360-LHA),When P>900,the

minus sign(-) obtained for the value of A is ignored as it is taken care of

changing name of A
D. Naming of quantities.
1. LHA between 900 2700 (through 180) = same name as observers latitude for A
2. LHA between 2700 900 (through 0or 360) = opposite name to observers
latitude for value A
3. Same name as declination for B

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4. If A and B has same name then C also has the same name. If A and B have
different name then C takes the name of the larger value.
5. The name of C will give the letter preceding the azimuth.
6. The last letter is decided by the LHA. ====
( east)

LHA >180 Last letter is E

LHA < 180 Last letter is W (west)

E. Converting azimuth to True bearing.
1. N Azimuth E

bearing same as azimuth.

2. N Azimuth W

bearing 360 azimuth

3. S Azimuth E

bearing 180 azimuth

4. S Azimuth W

bearing 180 + azimuth

F. Obtaining Gyro error.

True bearing ( calculated) ~ observed bearing = Gyro error.
G. Obtaining Deviation for Magnetic Heading.
True bearing +/- variation (from chart) = magnetic bearing.
Magnetic bearing ~ observed bearing = Deviation.

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CALCULATING AMPLITUDE
A. This calculation is required to 1. Check Gyro error and 2. Obtain magnetic
compass deviation.
B. Basic quantities required
1.
2.
3.
4.

DR latitude.
Measured amplitude of the object observed at rising or setting.
GMT of observation.
Declination of the object at the time of observation.

C. Procedure
1. Convert LMT, Standard time or zone time in to GMT by applying LIT, Time
zone or Zone time. 2. For the GMT from the daily page for the required day and date
and calculate the value of
declination with name.
Tabulated dec for whole hour with name d
d correction from increment table
( add if dec increasing. Subtract if dec decreasing)
Declination for the GMT
D. Calculate amplitude using formula
Sin (Amplitude) = Sin (dec)/ Cos( lat)
E. Naming of amplitude.
1. The first letter

E if rising W if setting

2. Last letter (after the amplitude) = Same as the declination.

F. Obtaining true bearing.
1. E amplitude N
2. E amplitude S

900 Amplitude
900 + Amplitude
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3. W Amplitude N 2700 + amplitude
4. W Amplitude S 2700 amplitude.
G. Obtain Gyro error OR magnetic deviation as explained in F and G for

CALCULATING AZIMUTH

Calculating Meridian Passage time

A. This calculation is required to use time in meridian passage sights including lower
meridian passage
B. Basic quantities required.
1. DR position of the ship (from chart)
2. GHA of the body observed.
C. Procedure to obtain GHA.
1. Extract approximate time of merpass from nautical almanac daily page for
the required day/date.
2. Apply LIT (of DR Long) to obtain the exact date and GMT of the occurrence.
[In case of moon and planets the day may shift to previous day or the next day
depending upon which side of mid-night the merpass is likely to fall and how
much earlier or later)
3.At time of Merpass the LHA of the body would be taken as = east long LHA
360 ; west long
LHA zero degrees.
0

4. Calculate GHA using formula

GHA = 360 0 LONG (east) OR GHA +
LONG (west) (In case of stars, obtain GHA Aries by subtracting SHA star from
Calculated GHA)
D. Calculating time for observation.
1. Go to the daily page of the date obtained in step 2.and look in the column
of body for GHA
close to and lower than the calculated GHA. Note down the GMT
hour.
2. Calculate the difference between calculated GHA and the GHA obtained in
step 1. This is the value of increment.
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3. Go to increment page and obtain the minute and second of the occurrence.
Add to the GMT
hour noted down in step 1. This gives the exact GMT of the
occurrence.
4. Apply LIT (add for east and subtract for west) to the GMT and obtain
accurate LMT of
Merpass.

CALCULATING LATITUDE BY MERIDIAN PASSAGE

A. Remember at meridian passage the LHA of the body is ZERO or 360 0.
B. Calculate merpass time as explained earlier.
C. Calculating approximate sextant altitude for observation.
1. Go to the daily page and extract the declination for the GMT hour.
2. Apply d correction obtained from increment page for the GMT minute.
Calculate corrected
declination.
3. Note down the latitude of the DR position of the time of merpass.
D. Calculating Sextant Altitude(approximate) to be set on the sextant for merpass
observation.
1. Use formula:
True Altitude = (90 0 DR lat) corrected dec.
2. Proceed as follows ( apply corrections with their normal signs reversed)
a. True Altitude

[Remember: earlier true altitude

was
b. Total correction

calculated from sextant altitude. Now

c. Apparent Altitude
calculated from

sextant altitude is being

d. Dip (add)

true altitude. Therefore all corrections

are
e. Observed altitude.

applied, with their signs

reversed.]
f. IE (Add or Subtract)
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g. Sextant Altitude (approximate)
E. Calculating latitude.
1. At the merpass time, set the calculated approximate altitude on the
sextant and observe the sun for maximum altitude. Note down the exact merpass
time.
2. Convert the observation time to GMT by
applying LIT, standard time or zone time.
3. Obtain value of dec for the
GMT of observation and note down value of d.
4. Calculate
accurate declination for the GMT of observation.
5. Use formula:
Lat = 900 (true altitude + dec)
6. Name the latitude as the same name of the elevated pole.

LOWER MERIDIAN PASSAGE OF CIRCUMPOLAR BODY

A. In case of circumpolar bodies Merpass happens twice. One between the observer
and the elevated pole called the meridian passage. The other is on the anti
meridian, between the elevated pole and the rational horizon, which is called as the
lower meridian passage.
B. Calculating GHA.
1. In case of lower merpass, The LHA is 1800.
2. Calculate GHA using GHA = 1800 long (east) or GHA = 1800 + long(west).
C. Calculating time for observation.
1. Go to the daily page of the date obtained in step 2.and look in the column
of body for GHA
close to and lower than the calculated GHA. Note down the GMT
hour.
2. Calculate the difference between calculated GHA and the GHA obtained in
step 1. This is the value of increment.
3. Go to increment page and obtain the minute and second of the occurrence.
Add to the GMT
hour noted down in step 1. This gives the exact GMT of the
occurrence.
4. Apply LIT (add for east and subtract for west) to the GMT and obtain
accurate LMT of the
Merpass.
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F. Latitude by lower merpass.
1. 900 declination is known as CO-DEC or POLAR DISTANCE (PD)
2. At the merpass time, set the calculated approximate altitude on the
sextant and observe the sun for maximum altitude. Note down the exact merpass
time.
3. Convert the observation time to GMT by applying LIT, standard time or
zone time.
4. Obtain value of dec for the GMT of observation and note down value of d.
5. Calculate accurate declination for the GMT of observation.
6. Calculate using formula: Latitude = Polar distance (PD) + Lower meridian
altitude.
7. Name latitude, same as that of the elevated pole.

OBTAINING POSITION LINE INTERCEPT METHOD (MARC.

ST. HILAIRE METHOD)
1. Obtain DR lat and long from chart.
2. Observe celestial body using sextant. Obtain sextant altitude and LMT of
observation.
3. Calculate True altitude by applying
corrections for IE, dip, refraction, SD, parallax, HP as required to sextant altitude.
Calculate True zenith distance = 900 true altitude. This is TZD(observed).
4. Convert LMT using LIT in to GMT.
5. Obtain GHA for the object from daily pages, add increment and v correction to
obtain GHA at the time of observation.
6. Obtain declination and apply d correction from increment table used for
calculating GHA.
7. Using DR lat obtain co-lat = 90 0 - lat. Using
declination obtain co-dec = 900-dec.
8. Calculate LHA =
GHA +/_ long. (east long add; west long subtract)
9. Draw a rational horizon diagram using the data available and solve the PZX
triangle to obtain zenith distance. This is TZD (calculated).
10. Calculating TZD ( calculated)
Use formula
Hav (zenith distance) = { Hav ( hour angle) * sin (co-lat)* sin (co-dec)} + Hav
( co-lat ~ co-dec)
OR
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Hav ( zenith Distance) = { Hav ( hour angle) * cos(lat)*cos (dec)} +
Hav (lat ~dec)
11. Obtain Azimuth of the object as explained earlier and obtain true bearing. (Note
down the value of C and keep it aside. This will be used in run to noon problem
later)
12. TZD (observed) is the distance of the observer from the GP of the object from
the observer. TZD (calculated) expressed in minutes is the distance of the GP in
miles from the observars DR position used in calculations.
13. TZD ( calculated) ~ TZD (observed) is called the intercept. Intercept is the
distance from the DR position where the position line is to be drawn.
14. Draw a bearing line at the DR position used for observation. Mark the direction
of the object by an arrow mark.
15. If TZD (calculated) > TZD ( observed), then the position line is to be drawn
towards the arrow mark.
16. If TZD (observed) > TZD (calculated), then position line is to be drawn away
from the arrow mark.
17. Measure the length of the intercept in miles on the chart and mark the poin of
the position line towards or away as explained in step 15 and 16.
18. Draw a line at this point perpendicular to the bearing line. This can be
calculated by adding 900 to the bearing.

CALCULATING LONGITUDE BY CHRONOMETER.

1. Using the same quantities of DR lat, the values of dec, GHA at GMT of
observation are calculated
2. Sextant altitude observed is corrected to get true zenith distance using IE, Dip,
Refraction and SD, parallax and HP as required.
3. Obtain angle P of spherical triangle PZX using formula
Hav (P) = Hav (lat ~ dec) x {sec (lat) x sec (dec)}
4. From P obtain the LHA of the body at the time of observation.

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5. The GHA of the body is obis obtained from daily pages of Nautical almanac apply
increment and v correction.
6. (a)Calculated LHA corrected GHA = longitude east
(b) Corrected GHA calculated LHA = longitude west.

LATITUDE BY POLARIS OBSERVATION

A. Calculation of LHA Aries.
1. Obtain sextant altitude of Polaris and correct it with IE and dip to get apparent
altitude.
2. Note down the time of observation of observation.
Convert to GMT by applying LIT, Standard time or Zone time.
3. From daily pages for the day and date obtain GHA Aries and add increment to
obtain GHA Aries for the time of observation.
4. Add long east and subtract long west to obtain LHA Aries.
B. Calculation of value of first correction a0 (use top portion of the tables)
1. Enter Polaris Table and choose columns in which the calculated LHA falls.
2. Read the value against the left hand side column which gives the difference
between calculated LHA Aries and the first figure given in the chosen column at
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step 1.
3. If the If the calculated LHA
has minutes then interpolation is required.
4. Note
down the interpolated value at step 3 or that obtained at step 2 as value of a 0
C. Calculation of value of second correction a 1. (use middle tables)
1. Go down the same column where a0 was read.
2. Read the correction against two values of latitude containing the DR latitude.
3. Interpolate for the required DR latitude. This is the value of a 1
D. Correction of value of third correction a0

(use bottom tables)

1. Go down the same column where first and second corrections were read.
2. Read correction against month of observation.
3. Note down the value of a2.
E. Calculation of latitude.
1. Use formula Latitude = Apparent Altitude 1 0 +( a0 +a1 +a2)
F. Azimuth of pole star. [ if required for Gyro error magnetic deviation]
1. Go down the same column in to the azimuth table.
2. Read the values tabulated for the latitudes with in which DR latitude is contained.
3. Interpolate and obtain the value of Azimuth.
If azimuth > 0000, then Azimuth = True bearing.
If Azimuth < 3600, then 3600 azimuth = True bearing

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