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A Question of Notation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 January 2010

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There does not appear to be a standard British notation for the parts of the spherical triangle formed by the pole (P), the zenith (Z) and the observed body (S or X) that is such a familiar feature of astronomical navigation. The main value of such a standard (or generally accepted) notation would be academic and theoretical rather than practical, since most navigators are concerned only with the one system that they use. However, it can be most confusing when comparing different methods to find that (for example) both h and H are used for both hour angle and altitude.

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Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 1966