BRAVO TEAM

Celestial Sphere System of Coordinates

1. Is the height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level? (Altitude)

2. The direction of a celestial object from the observer, expressed as the angular distance from the north
or south point of the horizon. (Azimuth)

3. What is the importance of knowing the sun's meridian passage?

Answer: We use the Sun's Meridian passage to get the second position line. In Mer-Pass, we measure
the sextant altitude of the body when it is on the observer's Meridian, i.e directly above the head of the
observer.

4. What is the bearing of the sun during meridian passage?

Answer: The noon position is the ship's position at 1200 Hrs LT. The position at the Meridian passage is
the position of the ship when the sun is on the observer's celestial meridian. That is when the sun is
directly (and exactly) above the observer's head.

5. What is angular distance of a point on a sphere from the nearest pole? (Polar Distance)

6. What is the angular distance of a point north or south of the celestial sphere? (Declination)

7. The angular distance measured starting at the vernal equinox, and from there, eastwards along the
celestial equator to a point on the celestial equator underneath the celestial object's position, is called
the ________ (Right ascension)

8. The Celestial Sphere's coordinates (equatorial system) are related to what Earth system of
coordinates? (Longitude & Latitude)

9. Measured from the local or observer’s meridian to the body maximum of 180°. (Meridian Angle)

10. An imaginary sphere of which the observer is the center and on which all celestial objects are
considered to lie. (Celestial Sphere)