Method of James Challis

The method of J. Challis is based on two measurement of the same star and its movement only in the direction of the declination.

Where in the sky

The declination and the local hour angle can be chosen at will.

Is the star trail in one of the directions small then choose a star which has a hour angle which differs about 90o.

Alignment of the measurement filed and orientation of the axes

The alignment of the measurement field is equatorial.

The positive y-axis points towards the positive declination direction.

Duration of the measurement

The duration varies between 10 and 180 minutes.

Zero point

The zero point is the true celestial pole. After the alignment the hour axis has to be lifted by the value Rb towards the zenith.

Procedure

After the star has been centered it is time to track the star without any intervention. After about 30 minutes the position of the the star is read an the let the telescope track the same star for another 30 minutes and read the position a second time. Enter those two values into the fields Y10 direction and Y20 direction in units of the grid. Enter both measurement durations into seconds in First Observing period and Second Observing period. Enter into the field Resolution per unit the grid unit in arc seconds and hit submit.

Example

From the article Matrix Method for Coordinates Transformation by Toshimi Taki.

With the following parameters

Latitude: 52.1556
Longitude: -0.01065
Height: 0
Temperature: 0
Date: 2001:05:24
Time: 21:00:00
Time zone: utc
First Observing period: 3000

Second Observing period: 4980
Rightascension: 213.954
Declination: 19.17472
Correction star Declination: -20
Y10 direction: -34.52
Y20 direction: -100.4
Resolution per unit: 1

you obtain the following results

Challis lambda : 1716.61 arcsec
Challis h : 344.82 deg
Challis A : -732.80 arcsec
Challis k : 1656.69 arcsec


Move the north end of the hour axis 732.80 units to the WEST
with star at declination -20.00 degree 697.54 units to the WEST
Lower elevation of the hour axis 1656.69 units


Comments, questions, corrections: markus.wildi@one-arcsec.org

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