Lesson Note on methods used to determine azimuth by observations of the sun.

At what time will the effects of a small error in the determination of observer's latitude be minimized when making azimuth observations on Polaris?
A. 12:00 midnight
B. when Polaris is at elongation
C. when Polaris is at culmination
D. when the LHA is 90 degrees
E. when the GHA is 90 degrees
Ans; C. At culmination the bearing is 0 at all LAT.

There are two methods by which azimuth can be determined by observation of the sun. Answer the following questions concerning these methods.


QS > Name the two methods that can be used to determine azimuth by observations of the sun.
Ana; 1. Altitude method and
           2. hour angle method.

QS>Which method is more accurate? Explain your answer.
Ans; Hour angle method—because time can be very accurately determined, and inaccuracies in measuring the vertical angle and determining refraction make the altitude method less reliable.