Exploring the azimuth tables is part of a set of exercises aimed at calculating the Sun’s altitude and azimuth, and ultimately determining its position at sea using a sextant without a scientific calculator, using tables instead.
This page provides only the answers to the four exercises for calculating the Sun’s azimuth with the tables.
See azimuth and celestial navigation page.
Exploring the Sun’s Azimuth Tables: answer exercise A
P = 060° 30′.1 NW; L = 38° 06’N; D = 08° 15′.5 N
PART I A :
lc = 0.44
dc = 0.17
same name
P < 90°
zc = lc – dc Z = obtuse
zc = 0.27
PART II A :
L = 38.1° N; Z = obtuse ; zc = 0.27
Z = 102°
P = NW / Zv = 360° – 102° = 258°
Exploring the Sun’s Azimuth Tables
answer exercise B
P = 39° 39′.8 SE ; L = 05° 08′.9 S; D = 18° 18′.9 S
PART I B :
lc = 0.11
dc = 0.52
same name
P < 90°
zc = dc – lc Z = acute
zc = 0.41
PART II B :
L = 5.2 ° S; Z = acute; zc = 0.41
Z = 68°
P = SE / Zv = 180°- 68° = 112°
Exploring the Sun’s Azimuth Tables: answer exercise C
P = 59° 44′.7 NE; L = 30° 28′.5 N; D = 20°20′.6 S
PART I C :
lc = 0.34
dc = 0.43
not same name
P < 90°
zc = lc + dc Z = obtuse
zc = 0.77
PART II C :
L = 30.5° N; Z = obtuse; zc = 0.77
Z = 123.5°
P = NE / Zv = 123.5°
Exploring the Sun’s Azimuth Tables
answer exercise D
P = 32° 30′.8 NW; L = 05°53′ N; D = 45°13′ N
PART I D :
lc = 0.16
dc = 1.87
same name
P < 90°
zc = dc – lc Z = acute
zc = 1.71
PART II D :
L = 05.9° N; Z = acute zc = 1.71
Z = 30.5°
P = NW / Zv = 360° – 30.5° = 329.5°