CELESTIAL NAVIGATION

FIXING THE SHIPS POSITION BY OBTAINING A POSITION LINE BY ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATIONS

Submitted by:
ALEX MONU CHERIAN JITHIN JACOB FAVORIT TANDEL NAVEEN YADAV (446, DNS-5) (468, DNS-5) (460, DNS-5) (480, DNS-5)

1. TERMS & TERMINOLOGIES FOR USAGE

NOTE:

Figures are to be referred for each explanation of the terms.

GEOGRAPHICAL

POSITION

GP is the image of the heavenly body on the surface of the earth at any given point of time. Lat of GP = Dec of body Long of GP = GHA W if GHA {Deg. between 0 180} & 360- GHA E if GHA {Deg. between 180- 360} The Geographical Position (GP) of a celestial body is the location on the surface of Earth from which this body appears directly overhead (at a given point in time). The measurement of the bodys altitude above the horizon ( Ho) with a sextant tells us how far we are from the GP ( Zenith distance = ZD = 900 Ho).Therefore ,in order to derive our position we need to know the observed bodys GP at the moment its altitude was measured. The GPs and other data are published in almanacs as a function of Universal Time (UT).

POSITION CIRCLE
A large circle drawn on the surface of the earth, with Geographical Position (GP) of body as the center and radius as Zenith Distance (ZD). A position circle can be measured both from a chart and from the surface of the earth for the purpose of Position fixing. The circles can be measured by sextant or by overlapping two position circles that can be used to give a position fix.

POSITION LINE
A small part of the circumference of a Position Circle drawn on the surface of the earth, which may be considered as a straight line is called as a Position Line (PL) or Line of Position (LOP).

AZIMUTH
The azimuth is the angle formed between a reference direction (North) and a line from the observer to a point of interest projected on the same plane as the reference direction.

NAVIGATIONAL TRIANGLE (PZX TRIANGLE)

P : is the celestial Pole (North or south) which is a fixedpoint. Z: Zenith

X: is the point on the celestial sphere of any heavenly body: Sun, moon, planets, stars etc. X is described in terms of its angular height above or below the equator, known as its Declination (corresponding to its Latitude), and its Hour Angle, the angle between its meridian and the Greenwich (corresponding to its Longitude). This angle, known as the Greenwich Hour Angle (GHA).

Solving this triangle (PZX) we get out position

DEAD RECKONING POSITION

This is a position of the ship found by allowing for the courses steered and distance steamed through the water from a fixed position or any starting position. It is only an approximate position.

DEAD RECKONING FIX OF ESTIMATED POSITION ALONG LOP

The calculated position, which a ship is expected to reach after allowing for her course and speed and estimated leeway and the current (Set and Drift) is the estimated position When only one line of position (LOP) is available, it is possible to find your estimated position (EP) by using the dead reckoning position (DRP) as a guide.

RUNNING FIX

The position of a ship can also be ascertained by taking bearings (1st and 2nd) at certain interval of time; the course steered and the distance steamed between the two observations being known.If two different celestial bodies are not available for simultaneous measurements, it is possible to obtain the two lines of position by observing the same body twice within a few hours. The first observed LOP then has to be displaced by the distance and direction travelled during the time interval between observations.

2. METHODS OF OBTAINING POSITION THROUGH WHICH PL PASSES

There are five common methods of plotting the position of the position line through which it passes. These are: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Latitude by meridian altitude Longitude by chronometer Intercept or Marcq St. Hilaire method. Ex-meridian method Polaris

As ship is somewhere on the position line (Perpendicular to AZIMUTH), We plot the position line on the chart of that particular area.With time, 6) ship moves; & by computing speed for that duration and actual 7) distance covered, we plot another position line on the chart using any 8) of the above mentioned method. After applying Running Fix and transferring the previous bearing, we get Fix (The actual position of the ship).

LATITUDE BY MERIDIAN ALTITUDE

Using the DR longitude, find the GMT of meridian passage of the body at the observer. Convert the GMT to ships time and observe the meridian altitude of the body. Correct the altitude and name it North or South according to the bearing of the body when on meridian. Subtract the true altitude from 90 to obtain meridian zenith distance and name it opposite to the bearing. From the ALMANAC, obtain the bodys declination for that GMT. Apply the declination of the MZD, using rule same names ADD, different names- SUBTRACT and name the latitude according to the greater of the two. PL will be EAST or WEST.

LONGITUDE BY CHRONOMETER
Observing the sextant altitude and GMT at that instant. Obtaining the GHA and declination of the body for that time. Obtaining the true zenith distance from the measured altitude. Determining angle P and from it, the LHA. Difference of LHA and GHA gives longitude. Calculating the azimuth and hence the direction of the PL.

INTERCEPT METHOD OR MARCQ ST.HILAIRE

Obtaining the sextant altitude and GMT at that instant Obtaining GHA and declination of the body for that time. Determining the hour angle of the body using GHA and D/R longitude. Calculate CZD. Obtain TZD from the sextant altitude Comparing the CZD and TZD to obtain intercept which will be named away if TZD is greater and towards if TZD is lesser. Obtaining the azimuth and from it direction of PL

POLARIS
Observe the sextant altitude and the GMT at that instant. Using DR longitude take out LHA. Obtain a0 , a1 and a2 from nautical almanac. Calculate observed latitude. Obtain the azimuth and therefore PL.

EX-MERIDIAN METHOD
Using the DR longitude find LMT. Obtain GHA and then LHA of the body. Obtain the declination. Observe the sextant altitude. Thus true altitude. Obtain reduction and get MZD. Thus Obtain the observed latitude. Calculate azimuth by A, B, C value and get direction of PL.