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

SYLLABUS

Semester V - Paper XV - Navigation III

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

Section A - Principles of Navigation

1. Birth of universe, stars, planets and their satellites. Signs of the zodiac. Recognition of Principal stars with reference to their constellations. Stellar magnitudes.

2. Kepler's Laws, Distance of planets from the sun. Bodes law. Inferior and superior planets. Axial revolution of planets. Relative motion of planets in their orbits. Elongation: Morning and evening star, Reasons for change of SHARA of Sun, Moon and planets. Direct and retrograde motion of planets. Solar prominences, solar spot cycle and its effect on terrestrial magnetism.

3. Earth - moon system, moon's orbital and axial rotation, phases of the moon, liberation, Lunar month. Eclipses - solar & lunar, Conditions necessary for occurrence of a solar or lunar eclipse. Umbra and Penumbra. Path of totality. Occultation of a planet or star. Precession of equinoxes.

4. Twilight - Civil, nautical and astronomical - conditions necessary for twilight all night: calculation of time of twilight by perusal of almanac with appropriate corrections, simple calculations based on above.

5. Circumpolar bodies; Conditions necessary for a body to be circumpolar, Maximum azimuth, Problems on these topics.

6. Great circle sailing - Initial & Final courses and distances, Pole, vertex, course on crossing the equator, Figure drawing of a GC track approximately to scale Composite great circle sailing.

7. Relationship between tides & Phases of the moon - spring and neap tides, Priming & lagging

8. Familiarity with all the contents of nautical almanac and its usage.

9. Calculations based on 1^st & 2^nd year's portion of Principles of Navigation, together with (1) to (7) above.

Section B - Practical Navigation

1. Solution of Spherical triangle by Haversine formula. Sine formula, Cosine formula. Four part formula & Nepier's Analogies.

2. Application of right angled & quadrantal spherical triangles.

3. To obtain a position by use of position lines obtained from two more observations with or without run (Simultaneous or staggered). The cocked hat and its interpretations.

4. Practical problems on Great Circle sailing. Use of ABC tables to find initial course, final course, Pole and Vertex of a Great circle, & great circle distance. Practical problems on composite circle.

5. Calculations based on 1^st & 2^nd year's portion of Practical Navigation, together with (1) to (4) above.

PRACTICALS

Sextant:

To use sextant for the accurate measurement of vertical & horizontal sextant angles. To identify adjustable errors of the sextant and to correct such errors. To measure altitudes of heavenly bodies when possible and do sight calculation.

Gyro Compass:

To know Procedure of starting & stopping of Gyro compass, Routine Maintenance. Use of Azimuth ring to take bearings of both celestial and terrestrial objects.

Meteorological instruments:

To take observation and apply corrections to obtain accurate barometric pressure using both Mercurial & Aneroid Barometers. To take readings on Barograph and measure pressure tendency. To obtain Relative Humidity using dry & wet bulb thermometer. The use of Psychrometer. Use of anemometer and wind wane.

Books for Reference