Nov 2008 Q3
Amplitude
Amplitude is a method or checking the compass error
We take a visual compass bearing and compare it with a
calculated bearing
It is taken just as the Sun is rising or setting
Due to refraction we take it when the Sun is half a
diameter above the horizon
2
½ diameter above horizon due to
refraction
►
Diameter
½
Diameter
3
Amplitude less accurate in high Latitudes (for every 1° change in altitude there is a
greater change in azimuth so any error in determine ½ diameter will potentially lead
to greater errors.
Tropics
High Latitude
Horizo
n
4
Sunset / Sunrise
If the question states Sunrise or
Sunset OR the sun rose or the sun
set, it must not be solved by the ABC
Azimuth method
In fact the question may not even
give the time but only state “Sunrise
or Sunset” or “AM/PM”
This being the case take the time of
Sunrise/Sunset from the Nautical
Almanac, but remember this is LMT
and therefore longitude in time (LiT) 5
must be applied in order to find UT
Amplitude - methodology
i. Derive UT
ii. Obtain Declination from Nautical
Almanac
iii. Calculate the Amplitude
For examination purposes an accuracy
of 0.10° is required
Although a Tabular method is available
it is strongly recommended that you
use the Amplitude Formula
Sin Amp = Sin Dec As per
Cos Lat formula 6
Naming the Amplitude
The Amplitude is named East or West
FIRST, depending on whether the body
is rising (E) or setting (W)
The Amplitude is named North or South
LAST
(ALWAYS) named same as the
Declination
It must then be converted into a three
figure Azimuth
7
Amp W 20 S = 250° (T)
Obtaining Compass Error
from an Amplitude
It must be remembered that the
compass error is equal to a
combination of the Variation and the
Deviation
ERROR = Variation +/- Deviation
8
► 22nd September in DR position 59°04.0’N 010°26.0’W
► - the sun set bearing 080°C and the Variation was 6°E
► Find; the Compass error and the Deviation
►
► LMT 22d 05h 46m Dec 0° 20.9’ N
► Long (W) 00h 42m (+) “d” (-1.0) 0.5 (-)
► UTC 22d 06h 28m Dec 0° 20.4’ N
►
► Sin Amp = Sin Dec Sin 00°20.9’ E0°41’N = E0.7°N 089.3°T
Cos Lat Cos 59°04.0’
►
► True bearing 089.3° T Comp bearing 080.0° C
► Variation 006.0° E (Compass to True add East)
Mag 083.3° M
► Deviation 003.3° E
► Compss Brg 080.0° C
9
Polaris
* However the declination of Polaris is
approximately 890 and therefore some
corrections have to be applied
* This is done using the Polaris Tables in
the Nautical Almanac (Pages 092 to
094)
* The tables are entered with the LHA of
Aries and the instructions at the
bottom of the page must be followed
Polaris tables page
92
We will look at each
section in more
detail over the next
few slides
Instructions at bottom of pages 92 & 94
Worked example at bottom of pages
93
Polaris methodology
I. Determine approximate UT time of
civil twilight and longitude in time + West & - East
II. Calculate correct UT using the
chronometer
III. Obtain the LHA of Aries
IV. Correct the SA for index error,
dip & refraction Total correction Stars and
Planets
V. Enter Polaris Tables follow the
instructions given
VI. Extract Azimuth and calculate
P/L Azimuth +/- 90°
22nd Sept AM twighlight D.R. 59° 01.6’N 009° 40.6’W
Chron showed 4h 30m 18s Error 3m 26s slow
Polaris Compass Brg 354°C
Approx AM Twilight 22d 05h ► True bearing 359.3° T
05m
Variation 006.0° E
LIT 009°40.6’W + 00h
39m (Compass to True add East)
Approx UT 22d 05h Mag 353.3°
43m M
► Deviation 00.7° W
Chron 22d 04h 30m
► Compss Brg 354.0° C
GHA ɤ
18s
060° 54.4’
Error
Inc 26s
03m 008° 27.4’
UT
GHA ɤ 22d 04h 33m
44s
069° 21.8’
Long W
009°
Az 40.6’
from Polaris tables = 359.3°T 14
LHA ɤ 059° 41.2’
Q3 c – TWO factors to be taken into account
1) Size of object – Polaris a small and distinct object in the night sky, so easier
to take an accurate bearing using the azimuth ring / mirror. The sun is a larger
object, and the observer has to determine the centre in order to get an
accurate true bearing, so this may result in an error when reading the bearing
from an azimuth ring / mirror.
2) Error in determining semi diameter of sun – Amplitude potentially less
accurate in high Latitudes (for every 1° change in altitude there is a greater
change in azimuth so any error in determine ½ diameter will potentially lead to
greater errors.)
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