Title

Senior Project: Global Position Determination from Observed Relative Position of Celestial Bodies

Author(s) Information

Michael Holmes, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Aerospace Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Aerospace Engineering

Date

6-2010

Primary Advisor

Kira Abercromby, College of Engineering, Aerospace Engineering Department

Abstract/Summary

A method was developed to determine the latitude and longitude of an observer based on the observed position of the Moon and several other celestial bodies. The basic principal developed dealt with the proximity of the Moon. Its relative displacement from calculated values was measured using photography by comparison with stars near the Moon. Photographs were taken from a location in San Luis Obispo at Longitude 120°35.9' and Latitude 35°13.3'. The analysis method has determined the location of the observer to a Longitude of 117°43.8'. An additional method located the observer to 36°38.7'N Latitude and 114°47.6'W Longitude.

URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/aerosp/13