Publications of the United States Naval Observatory. Second Series, Volume 26, Part 2. Results of Observations Made with the Seven-Inch Transit Circle 1967-1973

Abstract

This document discusses results of observations made with the seven-inch transit circle during the period 1967.1 to 1973.5. Observations of the moon and minor planets and a catalog of 23,001 stars for 1950.0 are included. A general description is given of the Seven-Inch Transit Circle. The telescope was housed in a split roof building that readily permitted circulation of air. Double, motor-driven travelling wires were used to visually track stellar motion in right ascension. A minimum of four zenith distance settings (bisections) were made on each star. At least eight right ascension-screw measurements (ticks) were obtained, four or more before meridian transit with prism direct and an equal number after meridian transit with the prism in the reversed position. Observations were made every clear night of the week. Two observers were assigned each night. No daytime observations were made. Instrumental nadir, level, and collimation were measured at the beginning and end of each tour and at 2 to 3 hour intervals within the tour. The rules for selection called for at least one clock star from each ten-degree zone of declination from +30 deg to -30 deg and at least four azimuth stars, balanced with respect to lower and upper culmination transits for each tour.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA253748

Entities

People

  • Clyde A Smith
  • J. A. Hughes
  • R. L. Branham

Organizations

  • United States Naval Observatory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cartesian Coordinates
  • Catalogs
  • Celestial Mechanics
  • Computations
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Construction
  • Dew Point
  • Latitude
  • Measurement
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Observers
  • Refraction
  • Standards
  • United States
  • Vapor Pressure

Readers

  • Astronomy/Astrophysics
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Geodesy

Technology Areas

  • Space