Old School Reverence

LS_8750 · Post by **LS_8750** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:31 am

Being a victim of the GPS world, I never became acquainted with Polaris or sun observation in my studies. The exam never covered it, I've never had a need for it in the field.

I want to learn polaris and sun observation as described in the 73 Manual. For fun.

I'd like to get some background materials for my endeavor, such as theory, equipment, sources for tables, etc. Any ideas out there?

Cheers.

E_Page · Post by **E_Page** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:59 am

If you can find it, "Astronomy for Surveyors" by Mikhail is the reference you want.

Propst · Post by **Propst** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:05 am

"PRACTICAL SURVEYING GUIDE TO CELESTIAL OBSERVATIONS
A compendium of notes, examples, tables, figures, helpful hints and HP-41 programs for accurate directions from celestial observations."
By Richard L. Elgin, PhD, LS, PE
David R. Knowles, PhD, LS, PE
Joseph H. Senne, PhD, PE

Copyright 1989

Elgin-Knowles produced the ephemeris for Lietz/Sokkia for years until its discontinuance

A nice guide with both the technical and practical ends covered well.

bruce hall · Post by **bruce hall** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:27 am

wrote a book "Astronomic and Grid Azumuths". I took his class back in 82 or 83 or somewhere around that time.

You will need a filter for the eyepiece for the theodolite, accurate time piece/stop watch, quad sheet or something that tells you what your lat long is, an ephemeris and a program to enter your data into.

If you are gonna use a total station for the observations, you will need a filter for the other end of the scope so the suns' light doesn't enter your shooter.

Put that filter up to your eye, view the sun, it looks like a hot dime.

David Anaya · Post by **David Anaya** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:22 pm

Jeremy Evans does cover that topic in the second advanced problems course at Santiago college

David Anaya · Post by **David Anaya** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:47 pm

also, the caltrans manual ch 4

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/row/landsurvey ... okTOC.html

land butcher · Post by **land butcher** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 2:44 pm

Hopefully they are up graded to GPS now, but 20 some years ago all mine lease surveys had to be located by sun or star shots.

Dave Lindell · Post by **Dave Lindell** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:57 pm

You only get two chances to look at the sun without a filter.

Once with each eye.

Propst · Post by **Propst** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:59 pm

I'll agree with Bruce on that one, I really got a lot out of that book.
I haven't seen the Mikhail book, but I'd take Evan's word on it.
Do both a Sun and star shot, they are very different in approach and technique, and I've found most surveyors love one and don't care much for the other.
Have fun!

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Old School Reverence

Old School Reverence

by P.O.B. Publishing Company

Ben Buckner

Reminder

Ben Buckner's book is very good too