Sextant Altitude

Correction
Sextant altitude (Hs) must be
corrected for errors of the
instrument and observer, and
other corrections depending on
the celestial body observed.
The observed altitude (Ho) is the Hs
value corrected to read as though the
altitude had been measured with
reference to the celestial horizon. It
is the altitude used in all celestial
navigation calculations.
Index Error
An error in the sextant
which is subtracted from
the Hs if “on the arc” and
added if “off the arc”.
Height of Eye (dip)
This is the depression of the
visible horizon. It varies in
amount according to the height
of eye and is always subtractive.
Refraction Correction
For stars and planets, the chief
correction is for the refraction
of light as it enters the denser
medium of the atmosphere.
Semi-diameter correction
We cannot locate the center of the sun or
moon, so the altitude of the edge nearest
the horizon is measured and the semi-
diameter as given in the Nautical Almanac
is added to the altitude observed with the
sextant.
Horizontal Parallax (HP)
HP of the moon is the parallax
when the altitude is 0°. This
quantity is given in the Nautical
Almanac
Example # 1
The lower limb of the sun was sighted on
Dec. 22, 2002 by a navigator using a
sextant with an index error of 8.6’ (off the
arc). The Hs was then noted as 66°58.8’.
Height of Eye is 16.7 meters. Find the Ho.
 Hs =
(Sextant Altitude) 66°58.8’
(Index Error) I.E. = + 08.6’ (OFF, +)
Corr’d Hs = 67°07.4’
dip (16.7m) = - 07.2’
Ha =
(Apparent Altitude) 67°00.2’
Main Corr’n = +15.8’ (Month, App. Alt, Lower/Upper Limb)
Ho =
(Observed Altitude) 67°16.0’
Example # 2
The star Sirius was sighted for a line of
position on Sept. 22, 2002 by a sextant
having an index error of 5.5’ (off the
arc). The Hs was 45°46.8’. Height of Eye
is 30 ft. Find the Ho of Sirius.
 = Hs
(Sextant Altitude) 45°46.8’
=
(Index Error) I.E. + 05.5’ (OFF, +)
Corr’d Hs
= 45°52.3’
dip (30ft)
= - 05.3’
= Ha
(Apparent Altitude) 45°47.0’
Main Corr’n = -00.9’
Ho =
(Observed Altitude) 45°46.1’
•END
Example # 3
The navigator took a sextant sight
of planet Venus on Sept. 23, 2002,
and obtained the following: Hs =
18°39.7’, IE = 8.8’ (on the arc),
Height of Eye 5.2m
 Hs = 18°39.7’
(Sextant Altitude)

(Index Error) I.E. = - 08.8’ (ON, -)

Corr’d Hs = 18°30.9’

dip (5.2m)= - 04.1’

Ha = 18°27.0’
(Apparent Altitude)

Main Corr’n = -02.9’

Additional Corr’n = + 0.3’
Ho = 18°24.2’
(Observed Altitude)