CELESTIAL NAVIGATION

AMPLITUDES
Amplitude refers to the bearing of a celestial body when it is rising or setting above the
Rational Horizon, i.e. True Altitude = 00° 00.0'.
The formula is based on Spherical Trigonometry, ZX = 90°

NOTE:
An Amplitude of the sun is taken when the lower limb of the body is 1 semi-diameter above
the visible horizon, allowing for the corrections this is when the sun has a True Alt 0°
An amplitude is the angle measured from the observer’s prime vertical i.e. East / West line, to
the body.
The Amplitude is named E or W depending on whether the body is rising or setting.
The Amplitude is named N or S depending on the Declination of the body.
The Amplitude formula is given by:
Sine Amplitude = Sine Declination
Cosine Latitude

AZIMUTHS

Calculating compass or gyro errors using the azimuth of a celestial body is very handy
because given a DR position and the exact GMT of the observation we can, using the
Nautical Almanac, work out the true bearing of any celestial body: i.e. Sun, Moon, Planets or
stars.

In order to calculate the true bearing of the body we must find out four basic quantities:
 The DR Position at the time of the observation
 The exact GMT at the time of the observation
 The Local Hour Angle (LHA) at the time of observation
 The Declination of the body at the time of the observation
The Azimuth is calculated using A, B, C Tables or by calculator. As can be seen from the
diagrams the Azimuth is a function of:
 Latitude,
 Declination,
 LHA.

A = Tan Lat Named opposite to Lat except when Hour Angle between 90° and 270°
Tan LHA
B = Tan Dec Always named same as Declination.
Sin LHA
C=AB + if A and B are the same names.
- if A and B are different names.
C is named the same as the greater component.
Tan Azimuth = 1
C x Cos Lat
Azimuth is named by C and LHA LHA 000° to 180° Body is to the West of the observer
LHA 180° to 360° Body is to the East of the observer

P-45
 AZIMUTHS, AMPLITUDES & POLARIS.

AMPLITUDES

1. On September 28th in D.R. position 50 20'N 174 10'E, the sun rose bearing 082C
and 092G. Chronometer was reading 6h 22m 18s, error 2m 15s fast. Variation: 10E. Find
the error and deviation of the magnetic compass and the error of the gyro compass.
Answer- Compass error: 10.8E; Deviation: 0.8E; Gyro error: 1L.

2. On January 6th in D.R. position 58 40'S 114 32'E, the sun set bearing 231C.
Chronometer reading, correct on GMT, 01h 24m 20s. Variation: 6W. Find the error and
deviation of the compass.
Answer- Compass error: 8.3W; Deviation: 2.4W.

AZIMUTHS

3. On January 5th at about 0730 in D.R. position 31 09'S 127 50'E, the sun bore 110C.
Chronometer 10h 32m 50s, chronometer error nil. Find the error and deviation of the
compass if the variation was 3.5W.
Answer- Compass error: 6.9W; Deviation: 3.4W.

4. An observer in D. R. position 50 08’N 021 10’W at about 0250 on 23rd January
obtained a bearing of Arcturus 118°C. Find the compass error and deviation. The
chronometer reading was 04h 10m 10s. Chronometer error was 2m 15s slow. Variation:
5°W.
Answer- Compass error: 8W; Deviation: 3W.

5. On the 23rd January at about 1720 hrs in DR position 46 15'N 059 20'W. Mars bore
254G. The chronometer showed 09h 12m 40s. Chronometer error was 1m 12s slow of
GMT. Find the gyro error.
Answer- Gyro error: 2L

POLARIS

6. At about 0500 hrs on September 23rd in D.R. position 51 06'N 11 15'W, the star
Polaris ( Ursae Minoris) bore 010C and 000G. The chronometer showed 05h 45m 00s
correct on GMT. Variation: 10W. Find the error and deviation of the magnetic compass and
the error of the gyro compass.
Answer- Compass error: 10.9W; Deviation; 0.9W; Gyro error:1H

7. On 25th March in D.R. position 43° 18’N 034° 15’W, at approximate ship’s time
0530hr, Polaris ( Ursae Minoris) bore 359G and 002C. The chronometer showed 07h 28m
34s, which was 2m 20s fast on GMT. Variation was 5E. Find the error and deviation of the
magnetic compass and the error of the gyro compass for the ship’s head.
Answer- Compass error: 1.1W; Deviation: 6.1W; Gyro error: 2L

P-46
 LATITUDE BY POLARIS
PROCEDURE
1. Correct the Sextant Altitude to bring it to True Altitude. (I.E., Dip & Total Corr’n)
2. Obtain LHA .
3. Using LHA  obtain correction aO, interpolating as necessary.
4. Staying in the same column, entering with Latitude, obtain correction a1, interpolating as
necessary.
5. Staying in the same column, entering with month, obtain correction a2.
Latitude = True Altitude + a0 + a1 + a2 - 1°

Direction of Polaris is obtained form the final table, staying in the same column as LHA 
and entering with Latitude.
a0 , a1 and a2 are corrections to allow for the fact that Polaris is not at exactly Dec'n N90°.
So as to always make the corrections positive, for ease of calculation,
a constant of 58.8' has been added to a0
“ “ “ 0.6' " " " " a1
“ “ “ 0.6' " " " " a2
Total = 60.0'  1° must be subtracted.

The tables are based on an average SHA and Declination of Polaris for the year, consequently
the tables must be updated annually. The update will also allow for "Precession and
Nutation".
Questions on Latitude by Polaris
From the following observations of Polaris obtain the direction of the position line and a
position through which it passes.

1. Time at ship: Morning twilight. D.R. Lat: 43 18’N Long: 34 15’W
Date at ship: 24th March. Chronometer reading: 7h 28m 34s
Sextant Altitude: 42 53.5’ Chronometer error: 2m 20s fast
Index Error: 1.4’ off the arc. Height of eye: 12.2m
2. Time at ship: Morning twilight. D.R. Lat: 37 52’N Long: 153 33’E
Date at ship: 10th June. Chronometer reading: 5h 50m 15s
Sextant Altitude: 38 09.0’ Chronometer error: 5m 10s slow.
Index Error: 1.5’ off the arc. Height of eye: 13.8m.
P-47
 LATITUDE BY MERIDIAN PASSAGE.
Find the Ship’s Time, the Observer’s Latitude and the True Bearing of the Sun.

1. Date: 18th June V/l keeping GMT + 4 hours

D.R: Lat 39º 10´S Long 62º 14´E
Sextant Altitude: 27º 18.5´ Lower Limb
Index Error: 3.6´ On the arc Height of Eye: 17.4 m

2. Date: 10th December V/l keeping GMT – 11 hours

D.R: Lat 54º 08´N Long 161º 12´W
Sextant Altitude: 12º 28.9´ Lower Limb
Index Error: 1.6´ Off the arc Height of Eye: 6.3 m

3. Date: 21st March V/l keeping GMT + 9 hours

D.R: Lat 27º 10´S Long 139º 15´E
Sextant Altitude: 62º 42.8´ Lower Limb
Index Error: Nil Height of Eye: 17.0 m

4. Date: 9h December V/l keeping GMT – 7 hours

D.R: Lat 55º 30´N Long 101º 40´W
Sextant Altitude: 13º 25.0´ Upper Limb
Index Error: 1.2´ Off the arc Height of Eye: 22.0 m

P-48
 SIGHTS
Measuring the altitude of a Celestial Body will provide the observer with a Position Circle.
This Position Circle, the centre of which is the Geographical Position of the Celestial Body,
represents all the possible positions that would give the same altitude, and hence Zenith
Distance, of the Body.
CALCULATED ZENITH DISTANCE
Cos CZD = Cos LHA x Cos Lat x Cos Dec  Sine Lat x Sine Dec.
If Lat and Dec are the same name: +
" " " " " different names: -
A sight is a comparison of the TZD (True Zenith Distance) with the CZD (Calculated Zenith
Distance) for an assumed position.
Intercept
The difference between the TZD and the CZD.
The Intercept is named according to the rule True Tiny Towards. (T.T.T.)
i.e. If the TZD is Tinier than the CZD then the Intercept is plotted Towards the body.
If the TZD is larger than the CZD then the Intercept is plotted away from the body.

Away
from Body D.R.

Towards the Body

Direction of Celestial Body

The True bearing of the celestial body is required to draw the Intercept and hence find the ITP
(Intercept Terminal Point)
Position line
The Position Line runs through the end of the Intercept; the Intercept Terminal Point. (ITP)
The Position Line runs perpendicular to the Intercept.
D.R.

Intercept Position Line

ITP

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 SIGHTS - SUGGESTED FORMAT

SUN PLANETS STARS

Approx Ship Time Approx Ship Time Approx Ship Time

Zone Time or L/T Zone Time or L/T Zone Time or L/T
Approx GMT & Date Approx GMT & Date Approx GMT & Date

Chronometer & Date Chronometer & Date Chronometer & Date

Chronometer Error Chronometer Error Chronometer Error
Exact GMT & Date Exact GMT & Date Exact GMT & Date

GHA Sun For Hour GHA Planet For Hour GHA Aries For Hour
Increment Sun Increment Planet Increment Aries
GHA Sun "v" Correction1 SHA Star
Longitude GHA Planet GHA Star
LHA Sun Longitude Longitude
LHA Planet LHA Star

Dec'n Sun For Hour Dec'n Planet For Hour Declination Star
"d" Correction "d" Correction
Declination Sun Declination Planet

Cos CZD = Cos LHA. Cos Lat. Cos Dec  Sin Lat. Sin Dec

Sextant Altitude Sextant Altitude Sextant Altitude

Index Error Index Error Index Error
Observed Altitude Observed Altitude Observed Altitude
Dip Dip Dip
Apparent Altitude Apparent Altitude Apparent Altitude
Total Correction Total Correction2 Total Correction
True Altitude True Altitude True Altitude
90° 00.0' 90° 00.0' 90° 00.0'
True Zenith Distance True Zenith Distance True Zenith Distance
Calculated Zenith Dist Calculated Zenith Dist Calculated Zenith Dist
Intercept Intercept Intercept

A = Tan Lat A = Tan Lat A = Tan Lat

Tan LHA Tan LHA Tan LHA
B = Tan Dec B = Tan Dec B = Tan Dec
Sin LHA Sin LHA Sin LHA
C = A B C = A B C = A B
Tan Az = ____1_____ Tan Az = ____1_____ Tan Az = ____1_____
C x Cos Lat C x Cos Lat C x Cos Lat
True Bearing True Bearing True Bearing

1. "v" for Venus may be negative.

2. Venus and Mars may have Secondary Total Corrections.

P-50
 SIGHTS

SUN

1. From the following information find the direction of the Position Line and the I.T.P.
D.R. Position: 36° 22'N 132° 25'W Time at Ship: 0845hrs, 25th march
Sextant Altitude of Sun's lower limb: 32° 59.9'
Index Error: 2.0' on the arc. Height of Eye: 14.2m
Chronometer showing: 5h 40m 45s Error: 2m 20s fast on GMT.

Answer: P/L 025.4˚/205.4˚(T). ITP position 36˚20.4’N 132˚20.8’W

2. From the following information find the direction of the Position Line and the I.T.P.
D.R. position: 48° 32'N 23° 16'W Time at Ship: 1215hrs, 27th June
Sextant Altitude of Sun's lower limb: 64° 34.4'
Index Error: 2.0' off the arc. Height of Eye: 20.4m
Chronometer showing: 1h 48m 04s Error: 3m 42s fast.

Answer: P/L 094.5˚/274.5˚(T). ITP position 48˚31.6’N 023˚16.0’W

3. From the following information find the direction of the Position Line and the I.T.P.
D.R. position: 48° 06’N 052° 10'W Time at Ship: Evening twilight, 5th January
Sextant Altitude of Jupiter: 38° 21.4' Index Error: 1.8' on the arc.
Height of Eye: 17.9m
Chronometer showing: 08h 17m 20s Error: 1m 05s slow.

Answer: P/L 018.3°/198.3°(T); ITP position: 48°05.2’N 052°06.6’W

4. From the following information find the direction of the Position Line and the I.T.P.
D.R. position: 42° 43'S 037° 10'W Time at Ship: Evening twilight 20th March
Sextant Altitude of Saturn: 21° 00.1' Index Error: 1.9' on the arc.
Height of Eye: 19.3m
Chronometer showing: 21h 08m 19s Error: 1m 03s slow.

Answer: P/L 305.2°/125.2°(T); ITP position 42° 47.5’S 037° 14.4’W

5. From the following information find the direction of the Position Line and the I.T.P.
D.R. Position: 32° 40'S 135° 17'E Time at Ship: 1930hrs, 11th June
Vessel is keeping Zone Time GMT + 9 hours.
Sextant Altitude of Atria: 41° 16.1'
Index Error: 2.0' on the arc. Height of Eye: 12.0m
Chronometer showing: 10h 29m 04s Error: 2m 02s slow.

Answer: P/L 065.9°/245.9°(T); ITP position 32°30.3’S 135°11.9’E

P-51
 PLOTTING SIGHTS

A single sight gives a single position line only.

To obtain a fix two or more position lines must be crossed, the position lines all representing
the same time, i.e. the time of the fix.
In the case of the ship's midday position the morning sight of the sun is "run up" to 1200 hrs
and the Mer Pass Latitude is run to 1200 hrs.
In the case of star sights the position lines are all "run up" or "run back" to a common time.
PLOTTING CHART.
The axes are Latitude and Departure.
The scale must be shown.
The Latitude and Departure will be with reference to a known position, e.g. the 1200 hrs D.R.
or, in the case of stellar observations, the D.R. used for star calculations.
SUN SIGHT PLOTTING
MORNING SUN SIGHT TO 1200 HRS
To avoid plotting a long run (e.g. 0900 hrs morning sight, ship speed 20 knots, run required
would equal 60 nautical miles.) and thereby requiring a poor scale to be used, the morning
sight D.R. is run up to 1200 hrs by Plane Sailing and the plot commenced from this position.
1. Using ship course and distance find D'lat and Dep from morning sight to 1200 hrs.
2. Apply D'lat to D.R. Lat to obtain 1200 hrs D.R. Lat.
3. Using mean Lat convert Dep to D'long.
4. Apply D'long to D.R. Long to obtain 1200 hrs D.R. Long.
5. Using the 1200 hrs D.R. lay off Intercept and the position line on plotting chart. This
position line thus represents 1200 hrs
MER PASS TO 1200 HRS
1. Using course and distance of ship find D'lat between Mer Pass and 1200 hrs.
2. Apply D'lat to observed Mer Pass Lat to find 1200 hrs Observed Lat.
3. Plot 1200 hrs Observed Lat on plotting chart.
OBTAINING POSITION FROM PLOTTING CHART
The 1200 hrs ship position is at the intersection of the position lines.
1. From the plotting chart obtain the Departure from the 1200 hrs D.R. position.
2. Using mean Lat convert Dep to D'long.
3. Apply D'long to 1200 hrs D.R. Long to obtain the 1200 hrs Observed Long.

P-52
 PLOTTING - SUN SIGHTS.

1. Obtain the 1200 hrs observed position of the vessel given the following details.
Course: 131°(T) Speed: 16 kts.

Morning sight: 0848 hrs.

D.R. Lat: 34° 25'S
D.R. Long: 123° 17'E
Intercept: Away 4.2' Azimuth: 064°(T)

Time of Meridian Passage: 1221 hrs.

Observed Latitude at Meridian Passage: 35° 08.7'S

Answer: 1200 Observed position 35˚05.0’S 124˚02.0’E

2. Obtain the 1200 hrs observed position of the vessel given the following details.
Course: 340°(T) Speed: 20 kts.

Morning sight: 0906 hrs.

D.R. Lat: 12° 40'S
D.R. Long: 147° 20'W
Intercept: Towards 5.1' Azimuth: 120°(T)

Time of Meridian Passage: 1143 hrs.

Observed Latitude at Meridian Passage: 11° 54.1'S

Answer: 1200 Observed position 11˚48.7’S 147˚36.1’W

3. Obtain the 1200 hrs observed position of the vessel given the following details.
Course: 290°(T) Speed: 20 kts.

Morning sight: 0830 hrs.

D.R. Lat: 00° 18'S
D.R. Long: 178° 58'W
Intercept: Towards 8.0' Azimuth: 107°(T)

Time of Meridian Passage: 1228 hrs.

Observed Latitude at Meridian Passage: 00° 02.8'N
Answer: 1200 Observed position 00˚00.4’S 179˚57.4’W

4. Obtain the 1200 hrs observed position of the vessel given the following details.
Course: 270°(T) Speed: 15.5 kts.
Morning sight: 0946 hrs.
D.R. Lat: 36° 15'N
D.R. Long: 120° 15'E
Intercept: Away 10.7' Azimuth: S68°E.
Time of Meridian Passage: 1227 hrs.
Observed Latitude at Meridian Passage: 36° 12.8'
Answer: 1200 Observed position 36˚12.8’N 119˚16.6E

P-53
STAR SELECTION & OBSERVATION CONSIDERATIONS

ALTITUDE Ideally you want stars with altitude about 45°. Altitudes of less than 15°
should be avoided due to possible errors arising from refraction. Altitudes greater than 70°
should be avoided due to the time required to bring the star down exactly on to the horizon
and the increased rate of change of bearing .
AZIMUTH Ideally the four stars selected should be close to the 4 cardinal points of the
compass, i.e. N, S, E & W.
Stars bearing N/S will give a good Latitude. Stars bearing E/W will give a good Longitude.
If you cannot get them at the 4 cardinal points then select two pairs of 'opposite' stars, each
pair separated by 90° of azimuth. e.g. NE/SW and SE/NW.
'Opposite' stars, i.e. separated by 180° of azimuth, will show up any errors due to abnormal
terrestrial refraction.
For a 3 star fix ideally the stars should each be separated by 120° if they are spread all round
the horizon, or by 60° if they all lie within an arc of 180° or less.
NB. Those best placed for a 3 star fix are indicated by an asterisk in the Sight Reduction
Tables.
BRIGHTNESS Where possible use the brightest stars available. These stars should be
available at Civil Twilight time, which is the ideal time for taking stars. Also the brighter
stars are more readily identified.
NB. The brightest stars are indicated by capital letters in the Sight Reduction Tables.
For morning observations take the fainter stars before they disappear and leave the brighter
stars until last.
For evening observations take the brighter ones first and wait for the fainter ones to appear.
GENERAL Stars which lie in the Eastern half of the sky should generally be taken first.
This is because for morning observations the Eastern horizon becomes visible first and for
evening observations the Eastern horizon loses its distinction first.
Be aware of stars whose altitudes are decreasing rapidly, especially if you are taking them at
the end of the observation period.
In heavy weather take the sights as close to the ship's centre-line as possible. This reduces the
effects of heavy rolling on the dip correction.
Do not take stars near the funnel exhausts, refraction errors will occur.
Try to get all the observations over a short time period, to minimise any errors in the runs.

P-54
 STAR SIGHT PLANNING

1. Using the v/l's D.R. position obtain the GMT and Ship Times;
a) For morning stars: Nautical Twilight, Civil Twilight and Sunrise.
b) For evening stars: Sunset, Civil Twilight and Nautical Twilight.
2. Determine the likely observation period, i.e. the mid time between Nautical and Civil
Twilight & the mid time between Civil Twilight and Sunrise/Sunset.
3. Calculate the LHA Aries for the GMT of Civil Twilight.
4. Using the nearest whole Latitude and the LHA Aries obtain from the Sight Reduction
Tables the 7 listed stars.
5. Plot the selected stars on a bearing circle.
6. Using the selection criteria determine which 4 stars are most suited to give the best
fix.

STAR SIGHT PLOTTING

On completion of the calculations it must be decided to what common time the sights are to
run to. This may be to the nearest ¼ hour or to a convenient time within the observation
period.
There are 2 methods of star sight plotting:
1. All the position lines are plotted, using the D.R. and their respective intercepts, and
the position lines are "run up" or "run back" to the selected time. (Identical to a chartwork
"Running Fix")
2. Each star D.R. is "run up" or "run back" to the selected time, (i.e. an observation taken
before the selected time would require the D.R. position used in the calculation to be
"run up", i.e. forwards, to the selected time, a star observed after the selected time
would require the D.R. to be "run back" to the selected time.) the intercepts and
position lines are then plotted from each star's corrected D.R. position.

P-55
 PLOTTING - STAR SIGHTS

From the following information find the v/l's position at the time stated.

1. Course 350°(T) Speed 16.0 knots D.R. Lat 15° 35'N Long 136° 20'W
TIME BODY BEARING CZD TZD
1825 Capella 072°(T) 53° 24.9' 53° 27.0'
1828 Pollux 029°(T) 30° 04.2' 30° 03.0'
1836 Arcturus 262°(T) 37° 34.5' 37° 32.1'
Find the v/l's position at 1830 hrs. Answer: 15° 38.4’N 136°23.1’W

2. Course 120°(T) Speed 15.0 knots D.R. Lat 04° 20'N Long 142° 12'E
TIME BODY BEARING CZD TZD
0527 Altair 070°(T) 29° 42.9' 29° 40.0'
0530 Arcturus 172°(T) 30° 12.2' 30° 14.6'
0536 Rigel 218°(T) 29° 16.0' 29° 19.7'
Find the v/l's position at 0530 hrs. Answer: 4° 22.7’N 142°14.5’E

3. Course 143°(T) Speed 16.0 knots D.R. Lat 22° 14'S Long 79° 42'W
TIME BODY BEARING CZD TZD
1755 Altair 070°(T) 23° 22.0' 23° 20.8'
1802 Vega 033°(T) 18° 04.0' 18° 02.3'
1810 Arcturus 335°(T) 43° 14.0' 43° 15.5'
Find the v/l's position at 1800 hrs. Answer: 22°12.5’S 79°40.9’W

4. Course 062°(T) Speed 18.0 knots D.R. Lat 33° 11'S Long 160° 25'W
TIME BODY BEARING T.Z.D. C.Z.D.
1825 Pollux 169°(T) 23° 20.0' 23° 21.5'
1827 Dubhe 030°(T) 18° 04.0' 18° 03.0'
1833 Mars 275°(T) 48° 20.4' 48° 18.3'

Find the v/l's position at 1830 hrs. Answer: 33°11.9’S 160°23.6’W

5. Course 240°(T) Speed 18.0 knots D.R. Lat 11° 32'N Long 38° 27'E
TIME BODY BEARING T.Z.D. C.Z.D.
0550 Hadar 005°(T) 53° 20.0' 53° 23.0'
0555 Saturn 235°(T) 38° 07.0' 38° 06.0'
0602 Canopus 095°(T) 41° 20.4' 41° 17.9'
Find the v/l's position at 0600 hrs. Answer: 11°33.8’N 38°25.1’E

P-56