UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
B.Sc. DEGREE COURSE IN Nautical Science
SEMESTER SYSTEM WITH CREDITS
(Effective from the Academic Year 2003-2004)

SYLLABUS

Semester IV - Paper X - Navigation II

Duration of Examination: 3 hrs
Maximum Marks: 100
Credits: 4

Section A: Principles of Navigation

1. The celestial sphere, celestial poles, equinoctial, declination, celestial meridian, Vertical circles, prime vertical, Ecliptic, First point of Aries, RA, SHA, GRA, LHA. V and d correction for moon and planets. Position of a heavenly body on Celestial sphere by Its declination and GHA, or by its altitude and azimuth, or its celestial latitude and longitude.

2. Visible, sensible and rational horizons, zenith, nadir, sextant altiitude, apparent Altitude, correction of altitude, dip, refraction, semi-diamter, parallax'in altitude, Horizontal parallax, augmentation to moon's S.D, reduction to H.P, True altitude And True Zenith dist. Total correction tables. Artificial horizon & correction of altitudes therefrom; back angle altitudes.

3. True and apparent motion of bodies Solar time, Solar day; apparent sun, mean sun and dynamical mean sun; equation of time. Time and hour angle, Hour circles, Greenwich time, local time & standard time. Keeping time at sea, advancing & retarding of clocks with change of longitude; International date line.

4. Sidereal time, sidereal day, why stars rise four minutes earlier each day, conversion of solar time to sidereal time and vice-versa.

5. Azimuths and amplitudes; Derivation of formula: Sin amp-Sin decl. Sec lat. Apparent altitude of Sun Moon at time of theoretical rising or setting.

6. Rising, culmination and setting of heavenly bodies. To find time of meridian Passage, sunrise, sunset, moon rise and moon set by calculation and by perusal of nautical almanac with appropriate corrections.

7. Principles of position lines. Geographical position, circle of position, why P/L is at right angles to the Azimuth-exceptions. Position to draw the P/L - Intercept Method; Longitude by chronometer method and Ex-meridian method. Effect of change of DR position on position for P/L and practical application.

8. Simple calculation on (1) to (7) above.

Section B: Practical Navigation

1. To find the true Azimuth of a heavenly body, the compass error and hence the deviation of the magnetic compass for the direction of the ship's head (ABC tables).

2. To find the compass error and deviation from amplitude of Sun Moon.

3. To find the latitude by meridian altitude of heavenly body. To calculate meridian passage time and approx. meridian altitude for setting on the sextant (computed altitude).

4. Latitude and position one by observation of Polaris.

5. From an observation of any heavenly body near the meridian, to find the direction, position line and the latitude corresponding to the D.R. longitude through which it passes.

6. To find the longitude corresponding to the DR latitude through which the position line passed and the direction of position line from an observation of any heavenly body. (Long by chron.)

7. To find the intercept, Intercept termination point and direction of position line from an observation of any heavenly body. (Intercept Method).

Practicals

1 Sextant: To use for altitude of heavenly bodies viz., Sun, Stars, Planets and Moon - thence to correct the sextant altitude to 'True alt'. required for astronomical calculation.

2. Use of Azimuth Mirror and pelorus.

Books Recommended for Reference