Celestial Coordinate Systems

celestial
coordinate
systems
definition of terms
ZENITH
The point where the plumb line projected above the horizon meets
the celestial sphere. It can also be defined as the point directly
above the observer
NADIR
Point directly below the observer, directly opposite the Zenith
definition of terms
CELESTIAL SPHERE
A gigantic sphere with an infinite radius centered on earth, where
stars and other heavenly bodies are fixed upon.
CELESTIAL POLES
Points on the surface of the celestial sphere pierced by the extension
of the earth’s polar axis
definition of terms
CELESTIAL AXIS
Prolongation of the earth’s polar axis
CELESTIAL EQUATOR
A great circle which is perpendicular to the polar axis of the celestial
sphere. It is an extension of the plane of the earth’s equator outward
that intersects with the celestial sphere
definition of terms
GREAT CIRCLE
The trace on the surface of a sphere of the intersection of a plane passing
through the center of the sphere
OBSERVER’S HORIZON
A great circle where a plane, perpendicular to the plumb line of the place
of observation and passing through the center, cuts the sphere. This is
also the plane in which the azimuth is measured.
definition of terms
OBSERVER’S VERTICAL
A vertical line at the location of the observer which coincides with
the plumb line and is normal to the observer’s horizon
VERTICAL CIRCLE
A great circle passing through the observer’s zenith and any celestial
body. It is perpendicular to the horizon and represents the intersection
of a vertical plane with the celestial sphere
definition of terms
HOUR CIRCLE
A great circle joining the celestial poles and passing through a body and
whose plane is perpendicular to the plane of the celestial equator
MERIDIAN
A great circle of the celestial sphere which passes through the celestial
poles and the observer’s zenith. This is a vertical and hour circle.
celestial coordinate systems
used to define the positions of heavenly bodies and points of reference on the
CELESTIAL SPHERE
Location is expressed in terms of two perpendicular components of
CURVILINEAR COORDINATES
A primary REFERENCE CIRCLE is used for referencing one component and

the other is reckoned from a secondary REFERENCE CIRCLE
coordinates are referred from an ORIGIN somewhere on the primary and

secondary circles.
HORIZON SYSTEM
ZENITH (Z) NORTH
CELESTIAL
Primary reference circle is the HORIZON POLE
Secondary reference circles are the vertical circles
AZIMUTH - A spherical angle, defined as the angular distance measuredALTITUDE

along the
HORIZON from the OBSERVER’S MERIDIAN to the VERTICAL CIRCLE THROUGH
THE BODY, counterclockwise.
SOUTH NORTH
ALTITUDE – the angular distance above/below the celestial horizon measured along the
OBSERVER’S AZIMUTH
vertical circle MERIDIAN
through the body; it corresponds to vertical angles which are observed in
ordinary surveys; it is positive when above the horizon and negative when below.
SOUTH
CELESTIAL
POLE NADIR (Z’)
EQUATORIAL SYSTEM
ZENITH (Z)
Primary reference circle is the CELESTIAL EQUATOR.

Secondary reference circles are the hour circles
VERNAL
DECLINATION
EQUINOX- angular distance above/below the CELESTIAL EQUATOR measured
along the hour circle through the body
RIGHT ASCENSION – defined as the angular distance measured along theDECLINATION
celestial equator
from the vernal equinox eastward to the hour circle passing through the body
VERNAL EQUINOX - important reference point on the celestial sphere; it's the point of
RIGHT
intersection of the celestial equator and hour circle through the sun when it is at 0
ASCENSION
declination
NADIR (Z’)
HOUR ANGLE SYSTEM
NORTH
ZENITH (Z) CELESTIAL
POLE
Primary reference circle is the CELESTIAL EQUATOR.
Secondary reference circles is the hour circle through the observer’s zenith
HOUR ANGLE - angular distance measured along the equator from the meridian of
reference to the hour circle through the body clockwise(when viewed from the north pole)
DECLINATION
GREENWICH HOUR ANGLE – the angle between the meridian through Greenwich,
England and the hour circle through the body
SIDEREAL HOUR ANGLE - angle between the hour circle throught the vernal equinox and
the hour circle through the SOUTH
body
CELESTIAL
POLE NADIR (Z’)
Why do we observe the sun?
We observe the sun to determine its altitude, and to determine the azimuth of
its center.
What are its applications?

It can be used to check points in route surveys.
It can be used to check bases of a triangulation system.
What are its disadvantages?
• Because its farther from the celestial pole than Polaris, the sun appears to
move swifter in the sky making it hard to sight
• it is difficult to center the crosshairs on the sun because of its size and its
brightness
• Results are not as accurate as those computed from star observations
• Solar observations are dependent upon the accurate measurement of
vertical angles
• Observations of the sun are affected by larger amounts of parallax and
refraction
• Sun can not be observed directly
PROCEDURE (for indirect method)
0. Set up the instrument at a point, establish another point some distance
away from your instrument. This will be TP2. Record the day of observation.
1. Backsight TP2. Take note of the initial horizontal circle reading. It will be
important for corrections.
2. Put the piece of paper infront of the telescope and adjust until the image of
the sun is sharp and clear against the paper. Sight the sun in its 1st position.
Record the Horizontal Circle Reading, time of observation and Altitude
(vertical circle reading.)
3. Sight the sun again in its 2nd position. This the 2nd reading. Record all
important data.
PROCEDURE (for indirect method) REVERSE POSITION
DIRECT POSITION
4. Place your instrument/telescope in the plunged/reverse position and sight
the sun in its 3rd and 4th positions. Record the horizontal circle readings,
times, and altitudes. The first four readings are the 1st Set of Readings (SET
I).
5. While the telescope is still in reverse, sight the sun in its 5th and 6th
position. Record all data, return the telescope to its direct position and sight
the sun in its 7th and 8th position. Again, record the data. The last 4 readings
are the second set (SET II).
6. Sight TP 2 and check if the reading is the same as the initial horizontal
reading. If not, the instrument has been disturbed.
AZIMUTH
COMPUTATION FROM
SOLAR OBSERVATIONS
Using the data gathered from Solar Observation we can solve for the Azimuth of
the Sun and Azimuth of Mark.
This form already lays out the step-by-step

procedure for getting the Azimuth of the sun
and Azimuth of Mark
we will solve for the az of the
sun for this data
Initial Horizontal Reading: 00-20-18
Hourly Variation: - 00 – 00 – 08.13
NPD: 113-15-12.8
Parallax and refraction correction: 00-00-38
We have to make the
reverse measurements
direct measurements 220-31-55 9:44:56.70 222-38-24 9:49:24.77
221-53-46 9:46:16.82 223-11-24 9:50:07.64
For horizontal circle 222-07-37 9:47:58.78 223-24-04 9:51:06.34
readings, we add 180-00- 222-26-01 9:48:50.30 223-37-52 9:52:48.44
00 to the reverse readings 886-29-19 39:8:2.6 892-51-44 39:23:27.19
221-37-19.75 9:47:0.65 223-12-56 9:50:51.8
For altitudes, we subtract 51-46-08 52-31-05
them from 360 degrees 52-00-54 52-42-05
52-14-50 52-44-46
The refraction correction 52-26-50 52-57-01
208-28-12 210-54-57
data is from a table that 52-7-3 52-43-44.25
was prepared by the 00-00-38 00-00-38
Bureau of Lands 52-06-25 52-43-6.25
1.783513889 1.847722222
The hourly variation and -00-00-08.13 -00-00-08.13
NPD can both be obtained -00-00-14.5 -00-00-15.02
from the Ephemeris of the 113-15-12.8 113-15-12.8
113-14-58.3 113-14-57.78
Sun released for the year 52-06-25 52-43-6.25
L is the Latitude of the 11-12-00 11-12-00
176-33-23.3 177-10-4.03
place where the survey was 88-16-41.65 88-35-2.02
performed 113-14-58.3 113-14-57.78
-24-58-16.65 -24-39-55.76
88-16-41.65 88-35-2.02
52-06-25 52-43-6.25
36-10-16.65 35-51-55.77
88-16-41.65 88-35-2.02
11-12-00 11-12-00
77-4-41.65 77-23-2.02
33.2823821 40.46422461
The survey was performed 1.10312032 1.1004009
in the morning that’s why 0..540201262 0.5858843753
the Az of the Sun is 360 0.347676322 0.9758554044
4.59567087 5.045564632
degrees minus the
0.2175960875 0.1981938738
computed value 12.27597697 11.21039473
24.55195395 22.42078945
335-26-52.97 337-34-45.16
88-16-41.65 88-35-2.02
52-06-25 52-43-6.25
36-10-16.65 35-51-55.77
88-16-41.65 88-35-2.02
11-12-00 11-12-00
77-4-41.65 77-23-2.02
33.2823821 40.46422461
The survey was performed 1.10312032 1.1004009
in the morning that’s why 0..540201262 0.5858843753
the Az of the Sun is 360 0.347676322 0.9758554044
4.59567087 5.045564632
degrees minus the
0.2175960875 0.1981938738
computed value 12.27597697 11.21039473
24.55195395 22.42078945
335-26-52.97 337-34-45.16
221-24-31.75 222-52-38
114-02-21.22 114-42-7.16
114-22-14.19
Does not meet 0-13-24.66
any standard
It seems as though the
results of the
observation did not
meet any of the
standards therefore the
observation is
REJECTE
D
REFERENCE/S:
La Putt, J.P. Higher Surveying 2nd Edition.
Baguio City: Baguio Research & Publishing
Center, 1986.
OROLFO
GE 12-2B
SECOND EXAM

Celestial Coordinate Systems

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Celestial Coordinate Systems

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celestial

A primary REFERENCE CIRCLE is used for referencing one component and

coordinates are referred from an ORIGIN somewhere on the primary and

Secondary reference circles are the vertical circles

AZIMUTH - A spherical angle, defined as the angular distance measuredALTITUDE

Primary reference circle is the CELESTIAL EQUATOR.

What are its applications?

This form already lays out the step-by-step

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