Elementary Positional Astronomy Supported by PC Software Programs
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About this ebook
The Positional Astronomy is the science describing the position of an object in the sky and its movement in the celestial sphere.
In this book the argument is treated in a plain but exhaustive and rigorous way, allowing also the beginners to easily approach this subject.
Each chapter of the book deals with a specific matter, such as the definition of the geocentric sphere and the system of coordinates to be adopted, the movements of the celestial bodies in the sky, their rising, setting and meridian passage conditions, and so on, driving the reader step by step and allowing a complete understanding of the main celestial phenomena.
The last chapter summarizes the subjects treated in the previous chapters, by presenting several examples of applications referred to celestial phenomena observable in the sky in the year 2012.
The examples can also be reproduced thanks to a PC software developed by the Authors, and containing graphical and text programs, which show the behaviour of the celestial bodies in the sky. Several screenshots taken from the software are reported here, and the relevant program is always quoted.
ArturoandRaffaele Chiesa
Arturo Chiesa is a Doctor in Physics, graduated at Milano University and his son Raffaele is an Electronic Engineer from Milano Polytechnic University. For more than thirty years Arturo and Raffaele have been working in the fields of celestial navigation and elementary astronomy. They give seminars and lectures on celestial navigation and elementary astronomy in Italy and Switzerland and they lead stages on sailing yachts along the main routes of the Mediterranean Sea and beyond. Arturo and Raffaele's aim has always been the creation of calculation and graphical software with a view to greatly simplifying the work of yachtsmen and astronomy hobbyists. Some good friends of them, ocean navigators, currently use their programs and they have always appreciated their suggestions and feedback.
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Elementary Positional Astronomy Supported by PC Software Programs - ArturoandRaffaele Chiesa
Elementary Positional Astronomy
Supported by PC Software Programs
By Arturo and Raffaele Chiesa
Copyright 2012 Arturo and Raffaele Chiesa
Smashwords Edition
***
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
Thank you for downloading this ebook. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. It remains the copyrighted property of the Authors, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy. Thank you for your support.
***
Table of Contents
Abstract
Chapter I – The Geocentric Model
I.1 - The terrestrial and the celestial spheres
I.2 - The ecliptic and the ascending and descending nodes. Definition of the equatorial coordinates of a celestial body: declination Dec (δ) and Right Ascension (R.A.) or SHA*. First system of coordinates
Chapter II – The Diurnal Rotation of the Terrestrial Sphere inside the Celestial Sphere. The Hour Angle of the Aries Point and the Sidereal Time
II.1 – Definition of the Hour Angle of the Aries point
II.2 - Definition of the Sidereal time and sidereal day
II.3 - Calculation
Chapter III - -The Hour Angles of the Celestial Bodies Referred to a Terrestrial Meridian. Fixed Bodies and Wandering Bodies
III.1 - The Hour Angles of the celestial bodies referred to the terrestrial meridians
III.2 -The Hour Angles of the wandering bodies (Sun, Moon, planets)
Chapter IV - -Times of the Meridian Passages of the Bodies. Fixed Bodies and Wandering Bodies
IV.1 - The formulas
IV.2 - Applications
IV.3 – A graphical display of the Local Hour Angles
Chapter V – The Sub Point of a Celestial Body. Its Terrestrial Coordinates
Chapter VI – The Model of the Spherical Triangle of Position. Degeneration at the Meridian Passage of the Body
VI.1 - Construction and meaning of the spherical triangle of position on the terrestrial sphere
VI.2 - Configurations of the triangle of position taken by the Sun in the morning and afternoon of the June and December solstices.
VI.3 - Degeneration of the triangle of position at the passage of the body at the meridian
Chapter VII – Bodies Rising and Setting, Circumpolar or Always Below the Horizon
VII.1 - Bodies always above the horizon (circumpolar bodies) and bodies always below the horizon
VII.2 - Two different ways of the meridian passages of the circumpolar bodies
VII.3 - A summary about the conditions of visibility of the celestial bodies
Chapter VIII – The Circle of Position
Chapter IX - -Examples and Applications
IX.1 - Terrestrial coordinates – program REVERSE
IX.2 - The Missing Moon in the Year 2012
IX.3 – Fixed bodies assuming three times the same azimuth in the same day
IX.4 - Local Mean Time of Meridian Passage of the Planets for the Year 2012
IX.5 – Some images of the sky
About the Authors
Abstract
The Positional Astronomy is the science describing the position of an object in the sky and its movement in the celestial sphere.
In this book the argument is treated in a plain but exhaustive and rigorous way, allowing also the beginners to easily approach this subject.
Each chapter of the book deals with a specific matter, such as the definition of the geocentric sphere and the system of coordinates to be adopted, the movements of the celestial bodies in the sky, their rising, setting and meridian passage conditions, and so on, driving the reader step by step and allowing a complete understanding of the main celestial phenomena.
The last chapter summarizes the subjects treated in the previous chapters, by presenting several examples of applications referred to celestial phenomena observable in the sky in the year 2012.
The examples can also be reproduced thanks to a PC software developed by the Authors, and containing graphical and text programs, which show the behaviour of the celestial bodies in the sky. Several screenshots taken from the software are reported here, and the relevant program is