Fast And Accurate Determination Of Astronomical Coordinates Φ, Λ AND AZIMUTH, USING A TOTAL STATION AND GPS RECEIVER

Abstract

This work reports the development of a system for fast and accurate determination of astronomical latitude (ϕ), longitude (Λ) and azimuth (A). The system consists of a high-precision total station, with the appropriate software for automatic registration of the measured elements, connected to a GPS receiver through which accurate UTC timing is provided This system allows the acquisition of a large amount of data during the tracking of selected stars around their meridian transit. After the appropriate processing of the data, an accuracy of σϕ = σΛ = ± 0″.01, σA = ± 0″.2 may be achieved for the determination of the astronomical coordinates and azimuth. The developed system compares favourably to older classical ones, due to its compactness and the accuracy obtained within a short period of time. Thus, combined with GPS receivers for the geodetic coordinates determination, it can easily be used for the determination of the deviation of the vertical and eventually of the geoid separation N.