Astro-Fix by Computation

Abstract

This paper describes a method for the reduction of simultaneous star altitude observations in pairs, whereby an unambiguous ‘fix’ is obtained without reference to the dead reckoning position and without use of the intercept procedure. The method is adequate in all latitudes. An especially swift reduction is possible for the moments at which two stars are situated at equal altitudes.When position is determined by means of two simultaneous star altitude observations and use is made of a single chosen position it is possible for the Marcq St. Hilaire intercepts to be so short that they can be regarded as negligible. When this occurs the chosen position is, in effect, the true position as indicated by the observations and no further work is required for a fix. If, in such a case, it is desired to have the Sumner lines of position represented on the chart it will be possible to draw them through the chosen position. The selection of such a chosen position may be made with certainty, in every instance, by computing numerical values for the latitude and the longitude of the appropriate intersection of the two circles of equal altitudes corresponding to the corrected observations. If the entire computation had to be done after the observations were made, the labour of this procedure would prohibit its use in rapid navigation. It happens, however, that the greater part of the work can be precomputed and presented for the navigator's use in a tabular form. These data are extremely compact and are permanent except for the need of occasional adjustment for precessional effects and on account of proper motions of the stars. No almanac would be required for use with such a table if the navigator were not dependent on it for his G.H.A. Aries. No knowledge of the dead reckoning position is employed in this computation; star observations suffice to determine the position without ambiguity.