A

Introduction To Spherical Trigonometry/Astronomy

Fred Sawyer

Chicago 2005

c B

Rule 1. The sum of the lengths of a spherical triangle's sides is always less than 360.

c B

Rule 2. The sum of the angles at its vertices is greater than 180 and less than 540.

c B

Rule 3. The sum of the lengths of any two sides is greater than the length of the third side.

c B

Rule 4. If a side (or angle) differs from 90 by more than another side (or angle), then it is in the same quadrant as its opposite angle (or side). In other words, they are either both greater than 90 or both less than 90.

c B

Rule 5. Half the sum of two sides of a spherical triangle must be in the same quadrant as half the sum of the two opposite angles.

The Fundamental Law Of Spherical Trigonometry

c B

Cosine Law

cos c cos a cosb sin a sin b cos C

The Fundamental Law Of Spherical Trigonometry

c B

Cosine Law

cos c cos a cosb sin a sin b cos C

cosa cosb cosc sin b sin c cos A
cosb cos a cos c sin a sin c cos B

The Fundamental Law Of Spherical Trigonometry

c B

Cosine Law

cosC cos AcosB sin Asin B cosc

c B

Sine Law

sin A / sin a sin B / sinb sinC / sin c

c B

Four Element Equation

cos a cos C sin a cot b sin C cot B

c B

Given any 3 elements of a spherical triangle, it is possible to solve for the other 3.

c B

cos c cos a cosb sin a sin b cos C

sin a / sin A sin b / sin B sin c / sin C

a B

Four Element Equation

cos a cos C sin a cot b sin C cot B

A
Most Difficult Case a B

sin a / sin A sin b / sin B sin c / sin C

sin B sinb sin A / sin a

But Is B acute or obtuse??? Appeal to Rules 4 and 5

c B

cosa cosb cosc sin b sin c cos A

cosb cos a cos c sin a sin c cos B

c B

cosc

sin a cos a cos B sin b cosb cos A sin a cosb cos B sin b cos a cos A

az Z

Given latitude, declination, and hour angle Find solar altitude.

az Z

cos cos cos sin sin cos t

sin sin sin cos cos cos t

az Z

Given altitude, azimuth and latitude, Find the solar declination and hour angle.

az Z

Cosine law gives us declination from altitude, azimuth and latitude. Then sine law gives us hour angle from declination, azimuth and altitude.

az Z

Alternatively, use the Four Element equation to obtain the hour angle directly from altitude, azimuth and latitude. Then use the sine law or the cosine law to find the declination.

az Z

Given latitude, hour angle, and declination,

Find the suns azimuth.

az Z

cos cost sin cot sin t cot az

az Z

cos cos t sin cot cot az sin t

sin cost cos tan cot az sin t


H
90

cos cos 90 sin cot sin 90 cot t

tan sin tan t sin cot cot t

Hec

Prosthaphaeretical Arc Hectemoral Arc (complement)

sin t

sin Hec sin

Reducing A Plane To The Equivalent Horizontal

Begin with a horizontal plane at latitude

Spike the celestial sphere

Reducing A Plane To The Equivalent Horizontal

Incline the plane by 80d, dragging the spike within the spheres surface.

Reducing A Plane To The Equivalent Horizontal

Decline the plane by 40 d. This is a rotation about the vertical at your site.

Reducing A Plane To The Equivalent Horizontal

Lat. 42

Inc. 80

i
C

Dec. 40

Eq. Lat. -26.4

Inc. Merid. 44.9 Slope -32.2

Thank you !