Question:

At 1523 ZT, on 14 June 1981, in DR position LAT 31°58' S, LONG 48°42' W you
observe an amplitude of the Moon. The center of the Moon is on the visible horizon and
bears 118.0° psc. The variation is 10° W. What is the deviation?
Answer: 2.1° W
Solution

Step 1: Write down the “givens”:

14-Jun-81 • Table 27 gives amplitude for celestial horizon.
• Table 28 gives additional correction for visible horizon.
Lat Long
o o
1523 31 58.0 ’ S 48 42.0 ’ W

Step 2: Get the GMT:

ZTime: 14-Jun 15 23 To obtain ZD:

ZD: + 03 Long 48.7 / 15 = 3.24. Go to the nearest whole hour.
GMT: 14-Jun 18 23 (Example: 10.47 = 10h, not 11h, and 10.50 = 11h)

Calculator Buffs:
Step 3: Calculate Declination and Amplitude: To get direct bearing, use formula:
Cos Bearing = Sin Decl / Cos Lat.
Decl: 13 o 31.0 ’ S If the Body is setting, add 180o to
+8.3 : 3.3 ’ the result.
Decl: 13 o 34.3 ’ S

Using Declination and Latitude, refer to Bowditch Tables 27 & 28:

East Bearing = 090.0 o
Table 27 =+ S 16.1 o of E
------------
Bearing = 106.1 o T
Table 28 Corn = - 0.2
------------
True Bearing = 105.9 o T
Step 4: To get the Deviation:
Amplitude takes the following names:
1. S or N from the Declination of the body,
2. E if rising, W if setting.
Example: If the amplitude is “S 2.6o of W”, the body
is 2.6o South of the Westerly heading of 270o.
Table 28: Apply half of the Table 28 correction away
from the pole of your Latitude!

G (pgc) Error T V M D C (psc)

105.9 o 10.0 o W 115.9 o ? 118.0 o

Answer: 2.1 0 W

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