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The following are two independent horizontal angular coordinates: Altitude (alt. or altitude angle [b]), sometimes referred to as elevation (el. or elevation angle [c]) or apparent height, is the angle between the object and the observer's local horizon. For visible objects, it is an angle between 0° and 90°. [d]
Even with these restrictions, if the polar angle (inclination) is 0° or 180°—elevation is −90° or +90°—then the azimuth angle is arbitrary; and if r is zero, both azimuth and polar angles are arbitrary. To define the coordinates as unique, the user can assert the convention that (in these cases) the arbitrary coordinates are set to zero.
Geodetic latitude and geocentric latitude have different definitions. Geodetic latitude is defined as the angle between the equatorial plane and the surface normal at a point on the ellipsoid, whereas geocentric latitude is defined as the angle between the equatorial plane and a radial line connecting the centre of the ellipsoid to a point on the surface (see figure).
Similar equations are coded into a Fortran 90 routine in Ref. [3] and are used to calculate the solar zenith angle and solar azimuth angle as observed from the surface of the Earth. Start by calculating n , the number of days (positive or negative, including fractional days) since Greenwich noon, Terrestrial Time, on 1 January 2000 ( J2000.0 ).
The solar azimuth angle is the azimuth (horizontal angle with respect to north) of the Sun's position. [1] [2] [3] This horizontal coordinate defines the Sun's relative direction along the local horizon, whereas the solar zenith angle (or its complementary angle solar elevation) defines the Sun's apparent altitude.
It is the complement to the solar altitude or solar elevation, which is the altitude angle or elevation angle between the sun’s rays and a horizontal plane. [1] [2] At solar noon, the zenith angle is at a minimum and is equal to latitude minus solar declination angle. This is the basis by which ancient mariners navigated the oceans. [3]
The azimuth is the angle between the north vector and the star's vector on the horizontal plane. [2] Azimuth is usually measured in degrees (°), in the positive range 0° to 360° or in the signed range -180° to +180°. The concept is used in navigation, astronomy, engineering, mapping, mining, and ballistics.
In practice it is not necessary to use zenith distances, which are 90° minus altitude, as the calculations can be done using observed altitude and calculated altitude. Taking a sight using the intercept method consists of the following process: Observe the altitude above the horizon Ho of a celestial body and note the time of the observation.