CELESTIAL NAVIGATION

NAV 4 233L3
House Rules

1. No unnecessary
noise while the class is
taking place.

2. No any form of
activity should be
doing that is not
related to the course or
topic being discuss.
House Rules

3. Raise your hands if

you have some
questions that needs
attention.
4. Answer the question
properly and politely.
Always respect the
opinion of your
classmate.
 Week 1 – Topic 1

Elements of Celestial Sphere

LEARNING OUTCOME:

LO1.1

• Identify the elements of

celestial sphere and its
system of coordinates.
Class Activities

1. Discussion about the Celestial Sphere

2. Question and Answer
3. Discussion about the Elements of Celestial Sphere
4. Question and Answer
5. Formative Assessment
6. Recap
7. Assignment
The Celestial Sphere
The Celestial Sphere

Celestial Sphere

An imaginary
sphere of infinite
radius with the Earth
at its center.
The Celestial Sphere
Characteristics of a
Celestial Sphere

The center of
C celestial sphere is
the center of the
Earth.
The Celestial Sphere
Characteristics of a
Celestial Sphere
It is rotating around
the Earth but in
opposite direction
while the Earth
appears stationary
all the time.
The Celestial Sphere
Characteristics of a
Celestial Sphere

The rotation of a
celestial sphere is
based on the apparent
motion of a celestial
body fixed to it.
The Celestial Sphere
Characteristics of a
Celestial Sphere

The center of any

C
celestial bodies is
aligned to the center
of the Earth.
The Celestial Sphere
Characteristics of a
Celestial Sphere

C
For illustration
purposes, the Earth
is represented by a
dot.
Question and Answer
Question and Answer

Give the
characteristics of
a celestial
sphere
Elements of Celestial Sphere
Elements of Celestial Sphere
Pn

Celestial Poles (Pn/Ps)

N

Located along the

axis of the Earth, or
right above the
S
geographical poles
of the Earth.
Ps
 Elements of Celestial Sphere
Pn

Celestial Equator (QQ1)

N

A.k.a equinoctial is
Q Q1 formed by extending
the plane of the
S
Earth’s equator to
the celestial sphere.
Ps
 Elements of Celestial Sphere
Pn

Celestial Meridian
N

It is an extension of
Q Q1 the plane of
meridian of the
S
observer from the
Earth to the celestial
Ps
sphere.
 Elements of Celestial Sphere
Pn

Celestial Meridian
N

The celestial
Q Q1 meridian remains
fixed with respect to
S
the Earth.

Ps
Elements of Celestial Sphere

Z
Zenith (Z)

The point on the

celestial sphere that
is vertically
overhead of the
observer.
Elements of Celestial Sphere

Z
Nadir (Na)

The point on the

celestial sphere that
is vertically below of
the observer.
Na
 Elements of Celestial Sphere
Pn

Hour Circle

A great circle on a
Q Q1 celestial sphere and
a point or body
perpendicular to the
celestial equator.
Ps
 Elements of Celestial Sphere
Pn

Hour Circle

This is similar to a
Q Q1 celestial meridian
except it moves with
the celestial sphere
as it rotates about
Ps
the Earth.
 Elements of Celestial Sphere
Pn

Hour Circle

Unlike the celestial

Q Q1 meridian which is
measured in
degrees, hour circle
is measured in
Ps
hours.
 Elements of Celestial Sphere
Pn

Diurnal Circle

The path of a
Q Q1 celestial body that is
approximately
parallel to the
celestial equator.
Ps
Question and Answer
Question and Answer
Pn

What are celestial N

poles?
S

Ps
Question and Answer
Pn

What is celestial N

equator? Q Q1

Ps
Question and Answer
Pn

What is celestial N

meridian? Q Q1

Ps
Question and Answer

What is a zenith?
Question and Answer

What is a nadir?

Na
Question and Answer
Pn

What is an hour
circle? Q Q1

Ps
Question and Answer
Pn

What is a
diurnal circle? Q Q1

Ps
Formative Exercise
Formative Exercise

Instruction:

Divide the class into group of 8

students. Each group will answer the
following questions from the table within
30 minutes.
Formative Exercise

Instruction:

After the given time, each group will

present their completed table. The
presentation could be in a Word or
Powerpoint format.
Formative Exercise
Write the equivalent element of celestial sphere from the give
planes and points of the Earth and define each elements.
Earth Celestial Sphere Comparison
Geographical Poles
Equator
Observer’s Meridian
Point of the Observer
Reciprocal Point of the
Observer
Meridian
Orbit
Recapitulation
Recap
Celestial Sphere is an imaginary sphere of infinite
radius with the Earth at its center.

Characteristics:
1. The center of celestial sphere is the center of
the Earth.
2. It is rotating around the Earth but in the
opposite direction of rotation of the Earth.
Recap

Characteristics:
3. The rotation of a celestial sphere is based on
the apparent motion of a celestial body fixed to it.
4. The center of any celestial bodies is aligned to
the center of the Earth.
5. For illustration purposes, the Earth is
represented by a dot.
Recap
Elements of the Celestial Sphere
Celestial Sphere Definition
Celestial Poles The point on the celestial sphere directly above either of
the earth's geographic poles.
Celestial Equator It is an extension of the plane of the Earth’s equator to the
celestial sphere.
Celestial It is an extension of the plane of meridian of the observer
Meridian from the Earth to the celestial sphere.
Zenith The point on the celestial sphere that is vertically
overhead of the observer.
Recap
Elements of the Celestial Sphere
Celestial Sphere Definition
Nadir The point on the celestial sphere that is vertically below of
the observer.
Hour Circle A great circle on a celestial sphere and a point or body
perpendicular to the celestial equator.
Diurnal Circle The path of a celestial body that is approximately parallel
to the celestial equator.
Assignment
Assignment

Research about:

1. Celestial Equator System of Coordinates

- Declination
- Hour Angles
- Polar Distance
Assignment

Research about:
1. Horizon System of Coordinates

- Principal Vertical Circle

- Prime Vertical Circle
- Altitude
- Zenith Distance
- Azimuth
End of Week 1