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http://star-www.st-and.ac.uk/~fv/webnotes/chapter3.htm
Positional Astronomy:
Coordinate systems: the horizontal or "alt-az" system
The location of an object on the sky is fixed by celestial coordinates
analogous to the terrestrial latitude/longitude system.
There are various systems, suitable for different purposes;
each system needs a fundamental circle and a fixed point on it.
The simplest is the horizontal system, which uses the horizon as its fundamental circle.
The poles of this circle are the zenith overhead and the nadir underfoot;
these are defined by the local vertical (using a plumb-line or similar).
Draw a vertical circle from the zenith to the nadir through object X.
The altitude (a) of object X is the angular distance along the vertical circle from the horizon to X,
measured from -90 at nadir to +90 at zenith.
3.12.2016 16:52
2 of 3
http://star-www.st-and.ac.uk/~fv/webnotes/chapter3.htm
alt-az
horizon
zenith
nadir
altitude
zenith distance
parallel of altitude
vertical circle
Principal Vertical
azimuth
Exercise:
From St.Andrews, at 6 pm on 1998 February 2nd,
the Moon appeared at altitude +39, azimuth 196,
while Saturn was at altitude +34, azimuth 210.
How far apart did the two objects appear?
3.12.2016 16:52
3 of 3
http://star-www.st-and.ac.uk/~fv/webnotes/chapter3.htm
3.12.2016 16:52