AIR MASS

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(Ref: Peter Duffett-Smith )

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Data Given ; 13 Feb 2001

33min 28sec UT 15.23hrs
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deg

Long

283 deg

RA 5h 59m 4.3s

18.53 hrs

Decl - 9deg

5.98 hrs

- 9.558

Formula for converting UT to LST

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LST = 6.669 374 558 + 2400.051 336 ( JD - 2 451 545.0 ) / 36525 +
1.002 7379( UT ) - Long ( Hrs ) + or - M (24)
to reduce the range to 0 to 24 hrs
To find JD on 18 Feb 2001
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JD on Jan 0h 0m 0s UT 2000 (from the almanac )
= 2 451 554.5
Interval between this date and Feb 13 ,2001
= 365x1 (days in
yr) + 1 (day for leap yr) + 43 days = 410 days
JD on Feb 13, 2001 + 2 451 544.5 + 410 = 2 451 954 . 5
JD at 15.23 UT is got by adding 15.23/24 = 0.635 day to the above
JD on Feb 13, 2001 at 15.23 hrs UT = 2 451 955.135
1.0027379 UT = 1.0027379 x 15.23 = 15.271 698 217

2400.051 336 ( JD - 2 451 545 0 ) / 36525 =

884 = 26.9 499 730 1

2400.051 336 x 0.011 228

LST = 6.669 374 558 + 26.9 499 730 1 + 15. 2 716 982 17 + 15. 271 698
217 - 18.53 = 30.360 969 974
= 30.36 - 24 = 6.36 hrs , reducing to range 0 to 24 hrs
HA = LST - RA = 6.36 - 5.98 = 0.38 hrs = 0.38 x15 = 4.7 deg
Air mass = ( sin(phi).sin(delta) + cos(phi).cos(delta).cos(h))^-1
= ( sin(18.5).sin(-9.558) + cos(18.5).cos(-9.558).cos(4.7) )^-1
(angles in degrees)
= ( - 0.052687146 + 0.932014467)^-1
= ( 0.879327321 )^-1
= 1.137 232 946
= 1.14