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Learning Objectives
Know the purpose of a marine sextant. Apply proper procedures to determine the observed altitude (Ho) of a celestial body.
Index Correction
There may be some error present in the sextant itself; this is known as index error. This is easily determined by setting the sextant to zero and observing the horizon; if there is no error, the view looks like the next slide...
Index Correction
However, often there is a slight error. In this case, the view looks a little different
Index Correction
To account for this error, we apply an index correction (IC).
Dip Correction
Next, we must account for the difference between the celestial horizon and the visible horizon, due to our height of eye. This is known as the dip correction. The need for this correction is illustrated on the next slide...
Dip Correction
The dip correction is dependent upon the observers height of eye. Values of the dip correction are tabulated inside the front cover of the Nautical Almanac.
Apparent Altitude
Now, by applying the IC and the dip correction, we can determine the apparent altitude (ha). Simply put,
ha = hs + IC + dip
Altitude Correction
The last major correction accounts for the refractive effects of the earths atmosphere. This correction is known as the altitude correction and is tabulated inside the front cover of the Nautical Almanac. The next slide illustrates the need for this correction...
Altitude Correction
Determination of Ho
The corrections needed to convert from the sextant altitude (hs) to observed altitude (Ho) are
IC (sextant error) Dip (height of eye) Altitude (refractive effects)
Additional Corrections
These corrections are all that are needed under normal circumstances to determine Ho of a star. An additional correction is required if the observation is made under non-standard conditions of temperature or pressure.
Additional Corrections
If we are using the sun, moon, or planets, the problem becomes a bit more complicated. In addition to the corrections we already mentioned, we must also accout for
horizontal parallax (sun, moon, Venus, and Mars) semidiameter of the body (sun and moon) augmentation (moon)
Additional Corrections
These additional corrections make determination of Ho for the sun, moon, and planets generally more difficult than those for a star. For simplicitys sake, well stick to determination of Ho for a star