GE 12 Laboratory Exercise #5

Solar Observation

Submitted to:
Engr. Alexis Richard C. Claridades

Submitted by:
Group 2 Section 2B
Marco Conopio (Leader)
Jomari Dinsay
Christianne Botor
Erick Javier
John So
Yage Mallari
 I. OBJECTIVE
The objective of the fieldwork is to perform a solar observation in order
to determine the astronomical azimuth of a given line using a
theodolite. Another objective is for the error of calculated data to be
within the accepted range.

II. INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES

 Theodolite
 Solar Eye Piece
 Range Pole
 PST-adjusted timepiece

III. PERSONNEL

Member Designation

Botor, Christianne Recorder

Conopio, Marco Instrument Man

Dinsay, Jomari Rod man

Javier, Erick Time Keeper

Mallari, Yage Instrument Man

So, John Chief of Party

Fieldwork Attendance
Members Present Absent Late

Conopio, Marco Present 0 0

Javier, Erick Present 0 0

Dinsay, Jomari Present 0 0

Mallari, Yage Present 0 0

So, John Present 0 0

Botor, Christianne Present 0 0

IV. SKETCH/ROUTE OFSURVEY

V. FIELDWORKSCHEDULE

 April 19 2016, (Tuesday) 1-4:30 pm

o Weather: Sunny

VI. FIELDPROCEDURES

First, the theodolite was set up over the point set on the ground and then
levelled. Before beginning, another point was set on the ground where a range pole
was set up and taken to be the backsight. Once this was done, a new set of
eyepieces, both L-shaped and one with a darker filter to enable the instrument man
to see the sun without damaging his/her eyes, replaced the default set on the
theodolite. This helped the two instrument men, one tasked to find and place the sun
in the correct line of sight (IM1) and the other tasked to view the angle readings at
the same time (IM2), see their respective eyepieces more easily.
Once the necessary preparations were done and the time was already
between 2-4pm on the scheduled day of fieldwork, observations were now made.
For this exercise, two sets of readings were taken, with two direct and two reverse
readings per set for a total of eight readings. These readings should all be done
within a maximum of ten minutes, with no more than two minutes between
consecutive readings. The group used a D-D-R-R / R-R-D-D set up for the exercise.
 To begin, IM1 first set to find the sun using the eyepiece with the dark filter.
Once the sun has been found with the theodolite in the direct position, IM1 placed
the sun in the different quadrants of the crosshairs in the following order: 1-3-2-4.
When the sun has been placed in quadrant 1, IM2 would then take the angle
readings while another member of the party would record the time of observation.
This was also when the 10-minute time limit began. Afterwards, IM1 placed the sun
in quadrant 3 and IM2 would taked the angle readings and time. Once this was done,
the scope of the theodolite was reversed and IM1 once again set to find the sun but
now, place it in quadrant 2, then quadrant 4 once the readings and time are taken.
This comprised the first set of data. While the scope was still in reverse position, sun
was placed in different quadrants in the same order as that of the first set with angle
readings and times recorded.
Final horizontal reading was recorded from the initial backsight to check if it
was still the same. Afterwards, calculations were performed for determination of
azimuth and of the probable error.

VII. DATA TABLES

SET A SET B
Time HA Zenith Angle Time HA Zenith Angle
D 2:36:24 110-58-42 39-1-39 R 2:41:05 291-17-24 319-17-20
D 2:37:07 111-52-30 39-43-21 R 2:42:20 292-11-9 318-46-29
R 2:38:28 291-53-31 320-8-19 D 2:44:14 112-18-31 40-55-19
R 2:39:31 291-11-04 319-11-5 D 2:44:45 111-31-46 41-36-34

North Polar Distance=78°39' 58.9''

Parallax and Refraction(setup1)=0°0' 40.71''
Parallax and Refraction(setup2)=0°0' 42.78''
Hourly Variation=-0°0' 51.59''
Initial Horizontal Angle=48°38' 24''
Final Horizontal Angle=48°35' 38''
Latitude=14°36' 0''
VIII. COMPUTATIONS

Set 1
𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐴𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
110°58′ 42′′ 50°58′ 21′′ 2: 36: 24
110°52′ 30′′ 50°16′ 39′′ 2: 37: 07
111°53′ 31′′ 50°8′ 1〗9′′ 2: 38: 28
111°11′ 0.44′′ 49°11′ 5′′ 2: 39: 31
𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏: 𝟏𝟏𝟏°𝟐𝟖′ 𝟓𝟓. 𝟖′′ 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏: 𝟓𝟎°𝟖′ 𝟑𝟔′′ 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏: 𝟐: 𝟑𝟕: 𝟓𝟑

𝑃 = 𝑁𝑃𝐷 + [𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑉𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 − 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒)]

𝑃 = 78°39′ 58.9′′ + [−0°0′ 51.59′′ (2: 37: 53 − 2: 00: 00)]
𝑃 = 78°39′ 26.33′′
𝐻 = 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 − 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝐻 = 50°8′ 36′′ − 0°0′ 40.71′′
𝐻 = 50°7′ 55.29′′
𝐿 = 𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒
𝐿 = 14°36′ 0′′
𝑃+𝐻+𝐿
𝑆=
2

78°39′ 26.33′′ + 50°7′ 55.29′′ + 14°36′ 0′′

𝑆=
2
𝑆 = 71°41′ 40.81′′
1 sin(𝑆 − 𝐻) sin(𝑆 − 𝐿)
cot( 𝐴) = √
2 cos 𝑆 cos(𝑆 − 𝑃)

𝐴 = 90°17′ 46.53′′
Horizontal Angle
𝐻𝐴 = 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝐻𝐶𝑅 − 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐻𝐴
𝐻𝐴 = 111°28′ 55.8′′ − 48°37′ 1′′
𝐻𝐴 = 62°51′ 54.8′′

Azimuth of the Line

𝐴𝑧 = 𝐴 − 𝐻𝐴
𝐴𝑧 = 90°17′ 46.53′′ − 62°51′ 54.8′′
𝐴𝑧 = 27°25′ 51.73′′
Set 2
𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝐴𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
111°17′ 24′′ 49°17′ 20′′ 2: 41: 05
112°11′09′′ 48°41′ 29′′ 2: 42: 20
112°18′ 31′′ 49°4′ 41′′ 2: 44: 14
111°31′ 46′′ 48°23′ 26′′ 2: 44: 45
𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏: 𝟏𝟏𝟏°𝟒𝟗′𝟒𝟐. 𝟓′′ 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏: 𝟒𝟖°𝟓𝟏′ 𝟒𝟒′′ 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏: 𝟐: 𝟒𝟑: 𝟎𝟔

𝑃 = 𝑁𝑃𝐷 + [𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑉𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 − 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒)]

𝑃 = 78°39′ 58.9′′ + [−0°0′ 51.59′′ (2: 43: 06 − 2: 00: 00)]
𝑃 = 78°39′ 21.84′′
𝐻 = 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 − 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝐻 = 48°51′ 44′′ − 0°0′ 42.78′′
𝐻 = 48°51′ 1.22′′
𝐿 = 𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒
𝐿 = 14°36′ 0′′
𝑃+𝐻+𝐿
𝑆=
2

78°39′ 21.84′′ + 48°51′ 1.22′′ + 14°36′ 0′′

𝑆=
2
𝑆 = 71°3′ 11.53′′

1 sin(𝑆 − 𝐻) sin(𝑆 − 𝐿)
cot( 𝐴) = √
2 cos 𝑆 cos(𝑆 − 𝑃)
𝐴 = 90°37′ 12.31′′

Horizontal Angle
𝐻𝐴 = 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝐻𝐶𝑅 − 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐻𝐴
𝐻𝐴 = 111°49′42.5′′ − 48°37′ 1′′
𝐻𝐴 = 63°12′ 41.5′′

Azimuth of the Line

𝐴𝑧 = 𝐴 − 𝐻𝐴
𝐻𝐴 = 90°37′ 12.31′′ − 63°12′ 41.5′′
𝐴𝑧 = 27°24′ 30.81′′
IX. RESULTS

Mean Azimuth of the Line

mean Az = Az1 + Az2
2
mean Az = 27°25’11.27”

Probable Error
PE = (Az1 – Az2)x0.33725
PE = (27°25’51.73”– 27°24’30.81”)x0.33725
PE = 0.0’27.29”

X. CONCLUSIONS
Mean azimuth of the line computed was 27°25’11.27” with a probable
error of 0°0’27.29”. It did not meet the accuracy needed. Therefore, the
observation is rejected.
One reason of the invalidity of the data could be due to equipment error.
The theodolite used was old and may already be not properly calibrated.
Another possible reason could be human error. It may have been erroneous
placements of the sun on the crosshairs or incorrect readings of the the angles.
Lastly, the difference in the initial and final horizontal readings could have also
contributed to the inaccuracy as it might have meant that the instrument has
been moved significantly affecting the validity of the data gathered.
One of the difficulties experienced by the group during the exercise is
the familiarity with the equipment used. Although theodolite has been used
before, the solar eyepieces were relatively new accessories. It was difficult to
sight the position of the sun at first considering the position of the instrument
man that the addition of the solar eyepiece has commanded compared to one
without it. Due to being accustomed to the total station with previous laboratory
exercises, refamiliarizing taking theodolite readings also took time. During the
time of observation, the sun would also be underneath the clouds at certain
times, making it difficult to be observed.
XI. CONTRIBUTIONS

 Jomari DInsay = Field Work Data, Objectives

 Christianne Botor = Field work Data, Field, Instruments and Accessories,
Data Table
 John So= Field work Data, Procedure
 Yage Mallari= Field work Data, Conclusion, Documentation, Revision and
Printing of Report
 Erick Javier= Fieldwork Data
 Marco Conopio= Computations, Results, Sketch, and Fieldwork Data

XII. DOCUMENTATION

April 19, 2016