Question:

On 22 October 1981, in DR position LAT 21°51.0' S, LONG 76°24.0' E, you observe an

amplitude of the Sun. The Sun's center is on the visible horizon and bears 256° psc. The
chronometer reads 01h 01m 25s and is 01m 15s fast. Variation for the area is 2° E. What
is the deviation of the standard magnetic compass?
Answer: 0.3° W
Solution

Step 1: Write down the “givens”:

22-Oct-81 • Table 27 gives amplitude for celestial horizon.
• Table 28 gives additional correction for visible horizon.
Lat Long
1800 21 o 51.0 ’ S 76 o 24.0 ’ E

Step 2: Get the GMT:

ZTime: 22-Oct 18 00 To obtain ZD:

ZD: - 05 Long 76.4 / 15 = 5.09. Go to the nearest whole hour.
GMT: 22-Oct 13 00 (Example: 10.47 = 10h, not 11h, and 10.50 = 11h)

Chron: 01 01 25
Error: - 01 15 Calculator Buffs:
Chron: 01 00 10 To get direct bearing, use formula:
GMT: 22-Oct 13 00 10 Cos Bearing = Sin Decl / Cos Lat.
(If the Body is setting, add 180o to
the result, or subtract from 360).
Step 3: Calculate Declination and Amplitude: However, you still have to apply
Decl: 11 o 08.0 ’ S the additional correction for Vis
+ 0.9 : 0.0 ’ Horizon (Table 28) to your
Decl: 11 o 08.0 ’ S observed bearing!

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

Amplitude takes the following names:
West Bearing = 270.0 o 1. S or N from the Declination of the body,
Table 27 =- S 11.9 o of W 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.
Bearing = 258.1 o T
N. Lat

Step 4: To get the Deviation: + Table 28: Apply Table 28

- azimuth bearing correction
Setting Rising
away from the pole of your
+ - Latitude!
S. Lat
G (pgc) Error T V M D C (psc)
258.1 o 2.0 o E 256.1 o ? 256.3 o

Answer: 0.2 0 W

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