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AZIMUTH
Azimuth
Azimuth is an angular measurement in spherical co-ordinate geometry.

For calculating azimuth we always need a reference point, same as we have in the case of simple
2-Dimensional Geometry.
Azimuth is used to calculate the True bearing of the heavenly body.

000 (Reference Point)


N

270 W

Y (+)

E 090

X (-)

X (+)
(0,0)
(Reference Point)

S
180

Y (-)

(NAVIGATION)

2-D GEOMETRY

Definition - The vector from an observer (origin) to a heavenly body projected perpendicularly on
the reference plane; the angle between projected vector & the reference vector on the reference
plane is called as azimuth.

Zenith
Heavenly
Body

Reference
Plane
Observer
Projection

North
Azimuth

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AZIMUTH

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For doing Celestial Navigation, most important things for calculations are:1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Our DR position (Latitude and Longitude).


Declination of the heavenly body.
GMT (Greenwich Meridian Time)
Date
LHA (Local Hour Angle)
Sextant Altitude

There are several methods for calculating azimuth, but the easiest of all is by using A, B and C
Table.
Note If we dont have Scientific Calculator to compute the values for A, B and C then we should
refer the Noories Table which is generally available on board.

Step 1 (Compute the values of A & B)

A = Tan (Lat)
Tan (LHA)

{ If LHA is between 90 - 270 then naming will be same as Latitude else it


will be opposite of latitude.}

B = Tan (Decl)
Sin (LHA)

{ The naming will always be same as Declination of the Heavenly Body. }

Note If the value comes as Negative, we will then remove the ve sign and will consider it as +ve
only in all cases.

Step 2 (Find the value of C)

{ If same names of A & B then Add, if different names of A & B then


subtract.
C = AB
While Subtracting name of C will depend upon the name of the biggest
arithmetic value between A & B. }

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AZIMUTH
Step 3 (Find the Azimuth)

Tan (Azimuth) =
1
C * Cos (Lat)
-1

Azimuth = Tan 1
C * Cos (Lat)

{ The Preceding name will always be same as C .

The Succeeding name will depend upon LHA:If LHA between 0 - 180 then WEST
If LHA between 180 - 360 then EAST }

Observers
Longitude

0-180
Eastern
Side

Western
Side
180-360

0-180
Observers
Longitude

180-360

Western
Side

Eastern
Side

Note LHA (Local Hour Angle) is always measured westwardly form observers longitude.

Step 4 (Find the True Bearing)


The combination of namings which can take place for Azimuth are
1.
2.
3.
4.

N Azm E
N Azm W
S Azm E
S Azm W

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AZIMUTH

We always start from the preceding name and move towards succeeding name of the azimuth.
To find the true bearing we will first plot the direction component so as to understand in a better
way.

Case - 1
N
True Bearing = N 20 E
In this case the preceding name is NORTH and succeeding name is EAST
20
So, we will move 20 from NORTH towards EAST
Hence,

True Bearing = N 20 E
True Bearing = 020 (T)

Case - 2
N
True Bearing = N 70 W
In this case the preceding name is NORTH and succeeding name is WEST

70

So, we will move70 from NORTH towards WEST


Hence,

True Bearing = N 20 W
True Bearing = 290 (T)

S
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AZIMUTH
Case - 3

N
True Bearing = S45 E
In this case the preceding name is SOUTH and succeeding name is EAST

So, we will move 45 from SOUTH towards EAST


W

Hence,

True Bearing = S 45 E
45

True Bearing = 135 (T)

Case - 4
N
True Bearing = S 35 W
In this case the preceding name is SOUTH and succeeding name is WEST

So, we will move35 from SOUTH towards WEST


W

Hence,

True Bearing = S 35 W
True Bearing = 215 (T)

35

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