Astronomy Topic 1

DCG2063 – FIELD ASTRONOMY 1.
3 GREAT CIRCLE SPHERICAL ELEMENTS
TOPIC 1 1.3.1 SOLAR SYSTEM

Our solar system consists of a sun and 9 planets. The
At the end of this topic, students will be able to: planets move in anti-clockwise direction around the
1.1 Describe field astronomy and its uses sun in an elliptical orbit. Those planets are Mercury
1.2 Describe celestial sphere for an observer on the earth (Utarid), Venus (Zuhrah), Earth, Mars (Marikh),
1.3 Explain elements of celestial sphere Jupiter (Musytari), Saturn (Zuhal), Uranus, Neptune
1.4 Describe sun, earth, planet, and moon movements in the solar (Waruna) and Pluto. There are also natural satellites
system orbiting the planets, e.g. moon orbiting the earth.
1.5 Describe seasonal changes
Besides, there are also stars, comet and asteroids
1.1 DEFINITION around our solar system.
Field astronomy can be describe as the study of the relative
position of the celestial bodies such as sun, stars, moon and 1.3.2 CELESTIAL SPHERE
planets with respect to the earth. A celestial sphere is an imaginary sphere formed by
the stars in the sky, where earth is located at the
1.2 FUNCTION OF FIELD ASTRONOMY centre.
Astronomy is important to surveyor and geodesy specialist to
carry out survey works such as cadastral survey, topographic
survey, geodetic survey, hydrographic survey and other
related survey that leads to mapping. There are TWO (2)
main functions of field astronomy.
1.2.1 LAND SURVEY

i. To determine azimuth of a boundary line through
astronomical observation 1.3.3 ELEMENTS OF CELESTIAL SPHERE
ii. To uniform the survey works and system between Horizon Circle (H) – is a great circle formed by the
separated land blocks intersection of the celestial sphere plane and the
iii. As a verification of angle for a long traverse line horizontal plane
where sun observation is performed at every 25 Zenith (Z) & Nadir (Na) – are two points located at
stations the end of a vertical line perpendicular to the horizon.
iv. To determine geodetic position i.e. latitude (ø) & Zenith is located directly overhead the observer while
longitude (λ) on earth through astronomical Nadir is located directly below the observer.
observation
1.2.2 ISLAMIC ASTRONOMY

i. To determine prayer times
ii. To determine kiblah direction
iii. To determine important dates in Islamic calendar
such as Awal Ramadhan, Aidilfitri, Aidiladha etc.
Celestial Pole (CP) - is the intersection between the
celestial sphere and the earth polar axis. In the
northern hemisphere, it is called North Celestial Pole
(NCP) and in the southern hemisphere, it is called
South Celestial Pole (SCP).
Celestial Equator (CE) – is a great circle perpendicular Figure 1.1: The elements of celestial sphere
to the celestial pole axis and parallel with the earth
equator axis and intersects with celestial sphere. 1.4 MOTIONS OF THE CELESTIAL BODIES IN THE SOLAR
Observer’s Celestial Meridian (CM) – is a great circle SYSTEM
that passes through North Point on the horizon, NCP,
Zenith and South Point. The intersection between the 1.4.1 APPARENT STAR MOTION
CM and horizon circle at the same part with NCP The earth rotates on its axis from west to east. If we
determines the North Point while the intersection of assumed that the earth is not rotating, we may see
the CM and horizon circle at the same part with SCP the stars rise at the east and set at the west. We can
determines the South Point. conclude that the apparent motion of the stars and
Prime Vertical (PV) – is a great circle perpendicular to other celestial bodies as moving on the celestial
the horizon circle and meridian circle that passes both sphere from east to west around the polar axis once
Zenith and Nadir. The intersection between PV and CE in 24hr sidereal time.
at the eastern part determines the East point while
the intersection between PV and CE at the western Star motion in northern hemisphere
part determines the West point. On the earth, PV is Star rise in the east and sets at the west. For stars
known as Prime Meridian. that rise above celestial equator, it has north
declination (δN). For stars that rise below celestial
equator, it has south declination (δS).
Group of stars
There are SEVEN (7) groups of stars.
Group 1: are the north polar star which moves closest

to the north pole, has small polar distance, can be
seen from high latitudes but cannot be seen from The altitude of the stars from the horizon also does
places near the equator and southern hemisphere. not change.
Group 2: are the north circumpolar star where its
polar distance is less than the latitude of the observer
and can be seen the whole day from any places on
the northern hemisphere because it isn’t rise or sets.
Group 3: are the stars located farthest from the North
Pole, rise at the east and set at the west, duration
above the horizon is longer than below horizon.
Group 4: are the equatorial stars that moves along
the celestial equator and has declination nearly 0°,
may have equal duration above and below horizon
(12hrs).
Group 5, 6 & 7: are the southern stars that have
opposite properties from the northern stars.
Figure 1.3: The view of the observer located at the north pole.
Stars as seen from the equator
The observer at the equator can see all groups of
stars. All stars are seen to be rise in the east and set 1.4.2 EARTH MOTION
at the west. The duration above and below the In our solar system, the earth has TWO (2)
horizon may be equal. movements:
Diurnal/Daily motion
The earth rotates on its axis (360°) once in 24hrs
solar time or 23hrs 56mins sidereal time from west to
east. This rotation results in stars moves from east to
west and the changes of day and night.
Annual motion
The earth moves around the sun once a year
(365.2422 days) in anti-clockwise direction on an
elliptical orbit where the sun is the focus point.
1.4.3 ANNUAL APPARENT SUN MOTION

The annual apparent sun motion is a reversed motion
where the diurnal motion is seen to be rise at the east
Figure 1.2: The view of the observer located at the equator and set at the west according to the earth rotation on
its axis. The non-uniform movement of the sun
Stars as seen from the north pole between its annual (moves along ecliptic) and diurnal
All stars is seen to be moves parallel to the horizon motion (moves along equator) results in spiral
circle. It has not rise or set, so that the observer may motions on the celestial sphere.
see all the northern stars except the southern stars.
Autumn Equinox
The sun directly on the equator with 0° declination on 22nd
or 23rd September. At this time the northern hemisphere is
in autumn equinox. The length of the day and night is equal
at all places (12 hrs). At this time, the sun is crossing the
equator from north to south.
Winter Solstice
The sun directly on the Tropic of Capricorn with a maximum
of 23.5° of south declination on 21st or 22nd December. At
this time, it is winter solstice in the northern hemisphere.
The length of the day for the northern hemisphere is the
shortest in the year where the closest a place to the north
pole, the shortest the daylight it receives. At the Artic circle,
it is 24hrs darkness while at the Antarctic circle, it is 24hrs
daylight.
Figure 1.4: The sun motion
1.5 SEASONAL CHANGES

The changes of the seasons on earth is because of the earth
movement around the sun and the tilting of the earth axis to
the ecliptic plane (66° 33.5’)
Spring Equinox
The sun directly on the equator with 0° declination on 21st or
22nd March. At this time the northern hemisphere is in spring
equinox. The length of the day and night is equal at all
places (12 hrs). At this time, the sun is crossing the equator
from south to north.
Summer Solstice
The sun directly on the Tropic of Cancer with a maximum of
23.5° of north declination on 21st or 22nd June. At this time, ~ END OF TOPIC 1 ~
it is summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. The length
of the day for the northern hemisphere is the longest in the
year where the closest a place to the north pole, the longer
the day time it receives. At the Artic circle, it is 24hrs
daylight while at the Antarctic circle, it is 24hrs of darkness.

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DCG2063 – FIELD ASTRONOMY 1.

3 GREAT CIRCLE SPHERICAL ELEMENTS

TOPIC 1 1.3.1 SOLAR SYSTEM

1.2.1 LAND SURVEY

1.2.2 ISLAMIC ASTRONOMY

Group 1: are the north polar star which moves closest

1.4.3 ANNUAL APPARENT SUN MOTION

Figure 1.4: The sun motion

1.5 SEASONAL CHANGES

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