Jobsite Azimuths Made Easy with Mica
Publication: Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 123, Issue 1
Abstract
Finding the direction of a line is done simply and accurately with a multiyear interactive computerized almanac (Mica), a theodolite, and a hand-held programmable calculator. Mica is the Multiyear Interactive Computer Almanac that is available from the U.S. Naval Observatory. An astronomic azimuth from station 081 to station 080 is measured with a set of six solar observations and the resulting average azimuth is compared to the value established by the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VAT), using the global positioning system. Each of the six sun shots is made by an independent observer, who in this study is represented by a first-year civil engineering student. Three readings were done with the telescope reversed and three were taken with the telescope direct. The local hour angle (LHA) method is used to calculate the astronomic azimuth. The solar constants for the equation of time (EOT), for declination (δ), and for semidiameter (SD) are found in Mica. The astronomic Azimuth 081–080 is 235° 15′ 50″ from the student readings and is 235° 15′ 56″ from VAT data.
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References
1.
Elgin, R. L., Knowles, D. R., and Senne, J. H. (1994). Celestial observation handbook and ephemeris. The Lietz Co., Overland Park, Kans.
2.
Moffitt, F. H., and Bouchard, H. (1992). Surveying, 9th Ed., Harper Collins, New York, N.Y.
3.
U.S. Naval Observatory. (1990). “Mica 1990–1999, dos version 2.0.” Astronomical Applications Dept., U.S. Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C.
4.
U.S. Naval Observatory. (1993). The astronomical almanac for the year 1994. Nautical Almanac Office, Washington, D.C.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Surveying Engineering
Volume 123 • Issue 1 • February 1997
Pages: 11 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Feb 1, 1997
Published in print: Feb 1997
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