AMPLITUDE

Position of the Sun for an Amplitude

Sun’s Diameter

1 x Semi-diameter
Visible Horizon

100° 110°
BEARINGS
Position of the Sun for an Amplitude

1 x semi diameter
above visible horizon
Zenith

True Zenith Distance

= 90°

Rational Horizon
Visible Horizon
 Path of rising sun,
Lat = 0°, Dec’n = 0°
No change in bearing.

Path of rising sun,

high Lat in winter.
Large bearing change for
small altitude change

Visible Horizon
Bearing observed ‘early’.
Observed bearing 090°T

Visible Horizon

090°
Bearing observed ‘late’.
Observed bearing 090°T

Visible Horizon

090°
Bearing observed ‘early’.
Observed bearing 119°T

Visible Horizon

120°
Bearing observed ‘late’.
Observed bearing 121°T

Visible Horizon

120°
SINE AMPLITUDE = SINE DECLINATION
COSINE LATITUDE

Named:

East or West, depending if sun rising or setting

North or South, depending on sun’s declination