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Handouts DCG20063 - Topic 3 Dis2019 PDF

This document defines topocentric and geocentric coordinate systems used in astronomy to determine the position of celestial objects. Topocentric coordinates use the observer's location as the origin and measure an object's position using altitude and azimuth angles. Geocentric coordinates use the Earth's center as the origin and measure right ascension and declination angles. The document also describes the astronomical triangle formed by an object, zenith, and celestial pole, with sides of zenith distance, polar distance, and colatitude and inner angles of azimuth, hour angle, and parallactic angle. Examples are given to illustrate determining an object's position from coordinate values.

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227 views2 pages

Handouts DCG20063 - Topic 3 Dis2019 PDF

This document defines topocentric and geocentric coordinate systems used in astronomy to determine the position of celestial objects. Topocentric coordinates use the observer's location as the origin and measure an object's position using altitude and azimuth angles. Geocentric coordinates use the Earth's center as the origin and measure right ascension and declination angles. The document also describes the astronomical triangle formed by an object, zenith, and celestial pole, with sides of zenith distance, polar distance, and colatitude and inner angles of azimuth, hour angle, and parallactic angle. Examples are given to illustrate determining an object's position from coordinate values.

Uploaded by

Norhayati Yusof
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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DCG20063 – ASTRONOMY

TOPIC 3 Definition
a. Altitude (α) – is the angle measured from the celestial
At the end of this topic, students will be able to: horizon upwards to celestial object, ends at Zenith. The
3.1 Illustrate horizontal topocentric coordinate great circle formed is known as Altitude Circle. The
3.2 Illustrate and equatorial geocentric coordinates complementary angle of Altitude is called Zenith distance
3.3 Describe the elements of PZS Triangle (ξ).
3.4 Solve astronomical triangle problems b. Azimuth (Az) – is the angle measured along the horizon
circle, from North clockwise to the Altitude Circle contains
In Geodetic Astronomy, the position of a star on the celestial the celestial object with value from 0° to 360°.
sphere is determined by the astronomical coordinate system
3.2 GEOCENTRIC COORDINATE SYSTEM
3.1 TOPOCENTRIC COORDINATE SYSTEM
Properties
Properties a. Origin – Earth centre
a. Origin – Observer or observation station (known as b. Main reference plane – Celestial equator
Topocentric). c. Second reference plane – Declination circle
b. Main reference plane – Celestial horizon d. Coordinate parameters – Right Ascension (RA) and
c. Second reference plane – Observer’s meridian/Celestial Declination (δ). For example: If S is a star on a celestial
meridian sphere at a time, its RA and Declination determine the
d. Coordinate parameters – Altitude (α) and Azimuth (Az). For position of this star.
example; If S is a star on a celestial sphere at a time, the
position of this star is determined by its Altitude and
Azimuth. DECLINATION
CIRCLE

RA
Altitude
SOUTH NORTH
Circle POINT CELESTIAL POINT
HORIZON
South North
20 N

10 EQUATOR

Figure 3.2: Geocentric Coordinate System

Figure 3.1: Topocentric Coordinate System


Celestial
Definition sphere
a. Right Ascension (RA) – is an angle between the Declination
Circle and First Point of Aries (γ), measured along the Altitude
celestial equator, from the First Point of Aries, anti- Prime Circle
clockwise to the Declination Circle of the celestial object Vertical
from 0hr to 24hr.
b. Declination (δ) – is an angle measured along the
Declination Circle, from the equator upwards to the celestial
object, ends at NCP or downwards to the celestial object,
and ends at SCP from 0° to 90°. It has positive value if the
celestial object is above the equator and vice versa.

3.3 ASTRONOMICAL TRIANGLE (PSZ)

a. Astronomical triangle is a spherical triangle formed by three


great circles known as meridian circle, vertical circle and .
Declination
declination circle.
b. The astronomic triangle contains Zenith, Celestial Pole and Circle
celestial objects (E.g. Star).
c. The sides of the triangle are zenith distance, polar distance
and co-latitude.
d. The inner angles for astronomical triangle are Azimuth,
Hour angle and Paralactic angle. Figure 3.4: Astronomical Triangle on the celestial sphere

Z EXERCISE

(Az) Exe.1: Given the Right Ascension of a star is 8hrs and the Declination
Azimuth is 60°N. Draw the diagram showing the position of the star.
Zenith Co-latitude
Distance P= 900 - δ Exe.2: The altitude of the Sun is 28°N and the bearing is 79° 12’.
Name the coordinate system of the sun and draw the diagram.
Z = 900 - α
Exe.3: Determine the declination and hour angle for a star based on
t the following information:
p Latitude of the observer : 48° 30’ N
S P= 900 - δ Hour Azimuth of the star : 50° E
Polar Angle Altitude of the star : 28° 24’ N
Distance

Figure 3.3: Astronomical Triangle

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