Astronomic Azimuth Class

November 1-5, 2010

Instructor: Dave Lehman

This course presumes that participants have at least intermediate-level knowledge of surveying gained through experience and/or education.  For information contact Erika.Little@noaa.gov.

Monday, November 1

Afternoon Session:

• Administrative Comments (Corbin Training Staff)
• Course Introduction
• Definition of azimuth and methods for azimuth determination
• Equipment & Field Procedures
• Data capture and time synchronization

Evening Session:

• Preliminary computations & star lists
• The Night Sky:  Constellation and Star Identification
• Application of Field Procedures and Observations 

Tuesday, November 2

Afternoon Session:

• Star catalogs, celestial coordinates, measurement of time
• Computation of Astronomic Azimuth

Evening Session:

• Field Observations
• Focus on azimuth determination at mid latitudes using "Polaris" 

Wednesday, November 3

Afternoon Session:

• Comparison of Astronomic and Geodetic Reference frames
• Earth Orientation with relation to Geodetic Datums
• Precise geodetic considerations; Laplace Corrections, "Skew Normal"
• Discussion of azimuth determination at different latitudes
  • Southern Hemisphere
  • High/Low Latitudes
  • Latitudes near the Equator
• Comparison of methods/procedures
  • Hour Angle
  • Black's Method
  • East-West Stars
  • Solar Azimuth

Evening Session:

• Field Observations
• Focus on alternate observation routines 

Thursday, November 4

Afternoon Session:

• Analysis of field work & computations
• Precision and Error Analysis
• Introduction to advanced topics:
  • Simultaneous Determination of Astronomic Latitude, Longitude, and Azimuth
  • Determination of deflection of vertical by direct observation
  • Reliability of current data and systems

Evening Session:

• Field Observations 

Friday, November 5

Morning Session:

• Course Wrap-Up & Evaluation
• Administrative Comments (Corbin Training Staff)
• Presentation of Training Certificates 

Class Structure: 

• Afternoon Sessions:  1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• Dinner Break:  5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
• Evening Sessions:  6:00 pm (or sundown) - Completion of Work

Equipment for field observations and office computations will be available on site provided by the Corbin Training Center.  Participants are encouraged to bring their own surveying equipment.  Participants are also encouraged to bring a computer, laptop, USB to serial adapters / drivers and serial interface cable(s).  Available software interfaces should be compatible with the following: Leitz/Sokkia, Pentax, Nikon, Topcon, Wild/Leica (some models), Zeiss/Trimble.   Some equipment manufacturers may be on hand to demonstrate available equipment.  (Note:  NGS does not endorse or recommend any specific manufacturer or company.)