A Novel Approach to Determine the Astronomical Vessel Position

Abstract

In this paper, a novel approach based on the trigonometric equation solving technique is developed to solve the classical problem of celestial navigation. It is shown that this approach, namely, the simultaneous equal-altitude equations method (SEEM), can directly calculate the astronomical vessel position (AVP) without an additional graphical procedure. It is also found that the SEEM is not only simpler than the matrix method but is also more straightforward as compared with the spherical triangle method. In addition, aimed at the drawbacks of the intercept method, an improved approach with the new computation procedure is presented to plot the celestial line of position without the intercept. With the improved approach and iteration method the AVP can be determined successfully. The improved approach then, is used to validate the SEEM through two designed examples. Numerical results show that both the SEEM and the improved approach are more accurate and effective as compared with the conventional intercept method.

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