GYRO ERROR CORRECTION / OBJECT MOON

UTC
PSN

23h 59m 30s

LAT
30 18,4 N
LON 014 19,1 W

Date 07/10/2008
GB

238

1.
2.
3.
4.

Install the bearing finder on the repeater.

Take sun bearing. We got the Gyro Bearing (GB).
In fast, write down the UTC (h:m:s) & co-ordinates from GPS.
From the NAUTICAL ALMANAC (YEAR) for the voyage date (written in
the up of left and right pages (p. 10-253)) find column MOON on the
right page in the page base.
By the argument HOUR & DATE (for example: 18h of 20/12/2007)
take Greenwich Hour Angle (GHA), Declination (Dec), & d, which
are placed in the page bottom.
For Example:
GHA : 68 26,3
Dec : 23 46,6 S
d
:
7,3
5. From the table Increments and corrections of the same manual (p.
ii-xxxi -yellow pages) in the upper part, find the minutes (in our case
59m) & in the same column find seconds (in our case 30 s).
On the cross of these values in column SUN/PLANETS Take value INcr
(in our case INcr = 14 11,8). This value always should be added to
GHA:
(GHA + Incr) = GHAcor = 68 26,3 + 14 11,8 = 82 38,1
6. Then to the GHAcor add or delete a longitude. If longitude value is W,
then , else if value is E, then + . We got the Local Hour
Angle (LHA).
GHAcor + (+/- LON) = 82 38,1 14 19,1 = 68 19,0
7. In the book SIGHT REDUCTION TABLES (for our example VOL.2 040) find the latitude (e.g. LAT = 30). Search the Z (Azimuth) on
crossing of LHA & LAT on the Declination table (SAME or CONTRARY
name to LAT). Correcting by interpolation the Z.
If LHA < 180 then: 360 Zcor.
If LHA > 180 then: Z = Zcor
The difference between Z and GB (GB Z) will be gyro error.

GYRO ERROR OBJECT SUN

UTC

18h 21m 48s

PSN

LAT
LON

12 20,8 S
013 32,8 E

Dat
e

20/12/2007

GB

180

1. Install the bearing finder on the repeater. Pull down light filters.
2. Take sun bearing so that it was not more than 60 above horizon. Got
the Gyro Bearing (GB).
3. In fast sequence write down the UTC (h:m:s) & co-ordinates from GPS.
4. From the NAUTICAL ALMANAC (YEAR) for the voyage date (written in
the up of left and right pages (p. 10-253)) find column SUN on the
right page in the page base.
By the argument HOUR & DATE (for example: 18h of 20/12/2007)
take Greenwich Hour Angle (GHA), Declination (Dec) & d, which are
placed in the page bottom.
For Example:
GHA: 90 36,6
Dec : 23 25,9 S
d
:
0,1
5. From the table Increments and corrections of the same manual (p.
ii-xxxi -yellow pages) in the upper part, find the minutes (in our case
21m) & in the same column find seconds (in our case 10 s).
On the cross of these values in column SUN/PLANETS Take value INcr
(in our case INcr = 5 17,5). This value always should be added to
GHA:
GHA + INcr = 90 36,6 + 5 17,5 = 95 54,1
After in the right column, for the same value of minutes find value for
d => dcor (in our case = 0,1 = 0,0), its always should be added to
Dec. After that, find the total value of Dec.
Dec + dcor = 23 25,9 + 0,0 = 23 25,9
6. Then to the GHA&INcr add or delete a longitude. If longitude value is
W, then , else if value is E, then + . We got the Local Hour
Angle (LHA).
GHA&INcr + LON = 95 54,1 + 13 32,8 = 109 28,9
7. Open the NORIES NAUTICAL TABLES and find the table A & B (p.
380-399). On left is table A, on right side is B.
At first from table A by argument LHA & current LAT, interpolating,
find the value of A (in our case A = 0,07 S). Value, which be added to
A is depend on sector, where LHA placed. If its among 90-270, then
value A has the as same letter (N/S) as LAT. If its among 270-0-90 is
opposite.
8. From the table B by the argument LHA & Dec, interpolating, find the
value of B (in our case B = 0,46 S)
As for value of B its as same as value of Dec (N/S). Its a constant
rule, shown on the left/right side of pages.
9. Algebraically put A & B. We got C (if marks are different, from
bigger subtract smaller value and place mark of bigger)
For example:
A + B = 0,07 + 0,46 = 0,53 S

10.
From the table C of the same manual (p. 410-423) according
the values of arguments of C & LAT, interpolating find the value of
azimuth (Z)
In our case:
Z = 62,6
11.
According the value Z define in which quarter its placed, using
next rule:
Marks of N/S always as same as C has (in our case - S)
Marks of W/E depend on position of LHA. If LHA between 0-180 then
W, if between 180-360 - E.
In our case:
LHA = 109 28,9;
therefore Z will be in SW part.
12.
Find the value of True Bearing (TB)
IV

III

if the
if the
if the
Z
if the

Z placed in I part, Z = TB
Z placed in II part, TB = 180 - Z
Z placed in III part, TB = 180 +
Z placed in IV part, Z = 360 - Z

II

13.
of TB & GB:
TB GB = Ger
L = low, if TB > GB;
H = high, if TB < GB;

Correction find from algebraic difference

GYRO ERROR CORRECTION / OBJECT STAR

UT
C
PS
N

03h 03m 08s

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

LAT

24 18,2 N

LON

016 34,2 W

Date 09/10/2008

GB

122

Select star from a celestial map.

Find the star on sky.
Take bearing of it. Got the Gyro Bearing (GB).
In fast, write down the UTC (h:m:s) & co-ordinates from GPS.
From a NAUTICAL ALMANAC (YEAR) for the voyage date (written in
the up of left and right pages (p. 10-253)) find column ARIES on the
left top of the page. By the argument HOUR & DATE (for example:
03h of 09/10/2008) take Greenwich Hour Angle (SHA); Siderial Hour
Angle (GHA) & Declination (Dec), they are placed in the right side of
page.
For Example:
SHA : 68 26,3
GHA : 63 06,5
Dec : 16 43,4 S

6. From the table Increments and corrections of the same manual (p.
ii-xxxi -yellow pages) in the upper part, find the minutes (in our case
03m) & in the same column find seconds (in our case 08 s). On the
cross of these values in column ARIES take value Incr (in our case Incr
= 0 47,1). This value always should be added to GHA&SHA:
GHA cor= (SHA + GHA + Incr)
GHA cor= 258 36,8 + 63 06,5 + 0 47,1' = 322 30,4
7. Then to the GHAcor add or subtract a longitude. If longitude has name
W, then mark is , else if name is E, then mark is + . We
got the Local Hour Angle (LHA).
LHA = GHAcor + ( LON)
LHA = 322 30,4 016 34,2 = 305 56,2
Note: If the LHA > 360, then LHA= LHA-360
8.
Open the NORIES NAUTICAL TABLES and find the table A & B
(p.380-399). On left is table A, on right side is B. At first from table A
by argument LHA & current LAT, interpolating, find the value of A (in
our case A = 0,07 S). Value, which will be added to A is depend on
sector, where LHA placed. If its among 90-270, then value A has the
as same letter (N/S) as LAT. If its among 270-0-90 is opposite.
9.
From the table B by the argument LHA & Dec, interpolating, find the
value of B (in our case B = 0,46 S). As for value of B its as same as
value of Dec (N/S). Its a constant rule, shown on the left/right side of
pages.
10. Algebraically put A & B. We got C (if marks are different, from
bigger subtract smaller value and place mark of bigger)

For example:

A + B = 0,07 + 0,46 = 0,53 S

The difference between Z and GB (GB Z) will be gyro error.

OBSERVATION LINE _______________________

UTC*

DATE:

+Tsec
UTC

BODY:

GHA*=
+^min sec=
+^v=
GHA=

V=

SHA (for stars)

Dec* =
^d=
Dec=

+E-WLONG=
LHA=

d=
B=
A=
C=

LAT=
Az=

TB=

-CB=
COURSE=
CE=
1.A-Named opposite to Latitude, exept when Hour Angle is between 90&270 degrees.
2.B-Always named the same is Declination .
3.Azimuth takes combined names of C correction and Hour angle.
Sin(Hc) = Sin(LAT) * Sin(Dec) + Cos(LAT) * Cos(Dec) * Cos(LHA)
1.
2.
3.

Function of LAT always +.

Function of Dec + when is named as LAT;
Sin(Dec) - and Cos(Dec) + when name of Dec opposite to LAT.
Cos(LHA) + when LHA< 90 deg.;
Cos(LHA) - when LHA > 90 deg..

LAT =
Dec =

Log Sin =
Log Sin =
Log Hav=

LAT =
Dec =
LHA=

Hc

Log Cos=
Log Cos=
Log Cos=
Log Hav=

=
TIME

Hs
i
I
D
R
PA
S

=
=
=
=
=
=
=

Nat Hav

Nat Hav
=
Nat Hav
=
Log Sin(Hc)=

Hs

Sextant altitude
i=360-oi (lower limb + / upper limb -)
Sextant index error
Dip of horizon
Atmospheric refraction
Parallax in altitude of the Sun, Moon, Venus or Mars
Semi-diameter of the Sun or Moon

Box of sextant
NT p.453 / Almanac A2
NT p.454
NT p.453
NT p.453 / Almanac daily pgs.

^t,^b=
Ho =
-Hc =

Additional refraction corrections

OBSERVED ALTITUDE
CALCULATED ALTITUDE

NT p.454 / Almanac A4

^H =
Az =

Obtaining the True Altitude

The altitude of the heavenly body (e.g. sun) from the observer's true
position is measured using a sextant. This is called the sextant altitude,
and has to undergo several corrections before the true altitude can be
obtained
The sextant utilises two mirrors. With this sextant, one of the mirrors
( mirror A in the diagram) is half-silvered, which allows some light to pass
through. In navigating, you look at the horizon through this mirror. Other
sextants are operated by aligning marked line on the mirrored surface to
the horizon, which is visible from the side of the mirror.
The other mirror (mirror B in the diagram) is attached to a movable arm.
Light from an object, normally taken to be the sun, reflects off this mirror.
The arm can be adjusted to a position where the sun's reflection off the
mirror also reflects off mirror A and through the eyepiece.Looking through
the eyepiece, the moving arm is adjusted such that the object appears to
rest on the horizon. When this happens, one object (the sun) is
superimposed on the other (the horizon). The angle between the two
objects is then read off the scale. An angle in degrees can be read off the
sextant and used to calculate lunar distance, longitude and location on the
Earth.
What makes a sextant so useful in navigation is its accuracy. It can
measure an angle with precision to the nearest ten seconds. (A degree is
divided into 60 minutes.)
1.
Index Error

This is the particular to each sextant, and can be either plus or

minus.
2.
Dip

This is found by reference to the Nautical Almanac. Dip is always

subtracted.
Dip is the angle between the horizontal plane through the observer's eye
and the visible horizon (see Fig 2.1). It occurs because the eye is always
above the sea level so that the observed altitude is always greater than the
altitude as measured from a point at sea level, where theoretically the
horizon would be in a true horizontal plane.

Fig 2.1 Dip is determined by height of eye

The amount of correction depends on the height of eye (HE) of the

observer above sea level. The correction for a tabulated HE is diagonally to
the right of the HE. For example, the correction for a HE of 2.8m would be
2'.9. This would also apply to a HE of 2.7m.

Fig 2.2 Nautical Almanac extract: Altitude correction table showing dip
3.
Semi-diameter/Refraction/Parallax

These are combined as a single correction which is found in the

Nautical Almanac.

Semi-Diameter
The true altitude is the angle between the true horizon and the centre of
the observed heavenly body (HB). Stars have no visible diameter but both
the sun and moon have appreciable diameters. Sextant readings should be
made by measuring the upper or lower edge (limb) on the horizon and
making a correction for half the body's diameter, not by guessing where
the centre of the HB is on the horizon.

 Refraction
Light passing from outer space into the earth's atmosphere is refracted.
Refraction is at a maximum when the HB viewed is low down near the
horizon, diminishing the zero when the HB is directly overhead.
Fig 2.4 Refraction the heavenly body's

Altitude appears to be higher than it

actually is

Parallax
The altitude of a HB as measured from the surface of the earth differs from
that which would be found if it were measured from the centre of the earth,
which is the condition required for true altitude. The difference is called
parallax. Parallax is greatest when the altitude is low and diminishes to
zero when the HB is directly overhead.

Fig 2.5 Parallax if greater when altitude is

low
Parallax also varies as the distance between the HB and the earth changes.
The moon's parallax can be up to 61' in arc as it is relatively near the earth.
The sun's parallax is fraction, never exceeding 0'.15 and parallax of all
other HBs is negligible.

Total correction
Semi-diameter, refraction and parallax are combined in a single total
correction found in the Nautical Almanac for the observed HB's particular
altitude. For example, if for a month in May the apparent altitude was 46
10'.01 then the correction to apply would be 16'.7. This correction would
apply to all apparent altitudes between 45 31'.0 and 48 55'.0.
Fig 2.6 Nautical Almanac extract: Altitude

correction table sun's total correction

Note that the moon's parallax changes so markedly that it is given as a

separate correction.
Example 2a: Corrections to sextant altitude
An observation of the sun's lower limb taken in November gave a sextant
reading of 34 25'.0. Height of eye 2.5m. Index error 2'.0. Refer to figures
2.2 and 2.6
Sextant Altitude (SA)
Index Error (IE)
Dip (HE 2.5m)
Apparent Altitude (AA)
Correction (Lower Limb/LL Nov)
True Altitude

3425'.0
- 2'.0
- 2'.8
34 20.2
+ 14'.9
34 35'.1