COORDINATE SYSTEMS

IN ASTRONOMY
KRITTIKA – ASTRONOMY CLUB OF IIT BOMBAY
WHY DO WE NEED COORDINATES

• In astronomy, a celestial coordinate system is a system for specifying positions of celestial

objects: satellites, planets, stars, galaxies, and so on. Coordinate systems can specify a
position in 3-dimensional space, or merely the direction of the object on the celestial
sphere, if its distance is not known or not important.
• For communication of object and also some what for predictions
SOME TERMS TO NOTE

You would learn them in upcoming slides

• Ecliptic
• Celestial Equator
• Zenith
• Nadir
• Equinoxes
• Solstices
MEASURING DISTANCE IN ASTRONOMY

• When we are measuring distances in

observational astronomy. The actual
distance from earth doesn’t matter to
us.
• We measure the distance in angles
HOW DO WE DEFINE COORDINATES ON A SPHERE

• In spherical coordinates we need 𝑟𝑟, 𝜃𝜃, 𝜙𝜙 , Since we are neglecting distances so we need
just 2 angles to define any coordinate.
• Have you seen any example earlier for like this sort. Where we have defined 2D
coordinates on a surface of sphere
• Earth’s latitude and longitude.
LOCAL COORDINATE SYSTEM ALT AZ
LOCAL COORDINATE SYSTEM ALT AZ

• It is local coordinate system. Because if you change your latitude your position of star
changes
• Altitude is measured in degrees above the horizon
• Azimuth is measured on a parallel to the horizon, in degrees East from North
• Expressed as (Alt, Az). Unlike all other are represented first horizontal and then vertical
componenet
• Polaris in Mumbai is at (19.1°,0°)
Problems in Local
Coordinate System Hey look at
the star at
(20,80)
NEW SYSTEM OF COORDINATES

• Celestial Equator Is the projection of

earth’s equator in the space
• This gives rise to North Celestial Pole
and South Celestial Pole
NEW SYSTEM OF COORDINATES

• Ecliptic is the imaginary path of the sun

in the celestial sphere. Sun passes
through zodiacal constellation that are
Aries, Taurus, Gemini, …. Pisces
• Eqiuinoxes are formed when celestial
equator and ecliptic meet in celestial
sphere. Vernal equinox lies in Pisces
and Autumnal Equinox lies in Virgo
ECLIPTIC
EQUATORIAL COORDINATES SYSTEM

• This coordinates define two angles Declination(Dec) and Rights Ascension (RA)
• Declination (Dec) As on the Earth, North-South positions are measured from the celestial
equator, with the vertex at the Earth's center. Like latitude, it is measured in degrees, with
negative values for positions South of the celestial equator. The equator is 0º Dec, and the
South celestial pole is at -90º Dec.
• The East-West celestial coordinate is called Right Ascension (RA). Like longitude, East-West
positions are measured on a parallel, with the vertex on the Earth's axis, from an arbitrary
zero-point meridian on the fixed sky. This prime meridian is set at the Vernal Equinox. It is
expressed in hour, minutes and seconds 24h=360°. And 0h is set for Vernal Equinox. It is
expected that zodiacal constellation changes after every 2h RA
• Order of giving coordinates is RA, Dec. Coordinates of Vega are 18h 36m 56s and 38º 47' 01"
ECLIPTIC COORDINATE SYSTEM

• The ecliptic coordinate system is a celestial coordinate system commonly used for
representing the positions and orbits of Solar System objects. Because solar system is
planar
• It consists of Latitude and Longitude. Same as earth’s system Vernal equinox is the centre
GALACTIC COORDINATE SYSTEM
GALACTIC COORDINATE SYSTEM

• Centre of galaxy is taken as (0,0), And plane of galaxy as horizontal plane

• Longitude (symbol l) measures the angular distance of an object eastward along the
galactic equator from the galactic center. Analogous to terrestrial longitude, galactic
longitude is usually measured in degrees (°).
• Latitude (symbol b) measures the angular distance of an object perpendicular to the
galactic equator, positive to the north, negative to the south. For example, the north
galactic pole has a latitude of +90°. Analogous to terrestrial latitude, galactic latitude is
usually measured in degrees (°).
GALACTIC CENTRED MAP
POSITIONAL ASTRONOMY
Celestial Coordinates in Action
WHAT TO SEEK IN POSITIONAL ASTRONOMY

• We know that locally it is better to use Alt-Az coordinate system. Whereas for
commuting data or remembering it is better to use Equatorial coordinates system.
• So what are the methods to convert one system to another.
• How to predict rise of stars, sun etc
YOU LEARNT ABOUT THEM

• Earlier Mentioned
• Ecliptic
• Celestial Equator
• Zenith
• Nadir
• Equinoxes
• Solstices
SOME IMPORTANT DEFINITION

• Day
• Solar Day is the time between 2
successive culmination of sun (t=24h)
• Sidereal Day is the time between 2
successive culmination of distant star
(t=23h 56m 4.0931s)
SOME IMPORTANT DEFINITION

• Year
• Tropical Year is the time between 2 successive passage of sun through vernal equinox
(t=365.242199 days)
• Sidereal Year is the time taken by earth for one revolution around the sun w.r.t. distant star
(t=365.2564 days)
• Anomalistic Year is the time taken by earth between 2 successive passages of earth through
its perihelion (t=365.2596 days)
SOME IMPORTANT DEFINITION

• Period (Relative between bodies)

• Synodic Period is the time between 2 successive (same type of conjunctions of solar system
objects
𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟏
= −
𝑻𝑻𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 𝑻𝑻𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒆 𝑻𝑻𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐
• Draconic Period is the time between two successive passages through ascending node.
CALENDARS

• Lunar based on phases of moon old • Gregorian Calendar

Jewish/Islamic • In 1582, the Julian calendar accumulated 10
days.Vernal Equinox occurred on 11 Mar
• Roman (Lunar) Calendar
• That year many countries after 4th
• 12 months total 355 days
October had 15th October directly
• Intercalary months once in 2-3 years
• This calendar added the rule that
decided by local priest
Centuries are leap year only when they
• Julian Calendar (46 BC) are divisible by 400
• Year had 365 days. Extra leap day every 4 • Error: 1 day in 3300 years
year. Avg. length of the year 365.25
• Error: 1 day in 128 years
ADAPTION OF GREGORIAN CALENDAR AND NEW
TIME
• Gregorian Calendar changes
• 16th to 18th Century changes implemented in Catholics but not in protestants or orthodox
• 1700: Prussia
• 1752: India, America, England, British colonies subtracted 11 days from calendar.
• 1918: Russia They subtracted 13 days from month of October. That’s why they celebrate
October revolution in November.

• Herschel’s Calendar
• He added rule that years divisible by 4000 are not leap year. Error: 1day in 20,000 years
JULIAN DATES

• For calculation we use Julian Dates

• Continous day counting. Reference point 1.1.4713 BC
• Day change at noon in UT (Astronomer’s Night!)
• Simple subtraction is used to find no. of days between events
1/Jan/1980 00:00 UT = JD 2,444,239.5
12/Jan/2011 13:30 IST = JD 2,455,936.833
SOME IMPORTANT TERMS

• Zenith
• Nadir
• North Celestial Pole (NCP) , SCP, NEP, SEP
• Meridian
• Transit When an object crosses Meridian
• Hour Angle It is the time since last transit
CIRCLES

• Great Circle Any circle on the surface of the sphere such that its centre coincides with
the centre of sphere e.g. Equator, Longitudes
• Small Circle All other circles on surface of sphere e.g Latitudes
• Spherical Angle is the Angle between the plane of any 2 great circle.
SPHERICAL TRIANGLE

• All 3 sides are arcs of great circles (namely a, b, c)

• Sum of any 2 sides is greater than 3rd side
• Sum of 3 spherical angles namely (A, B, C) is greater than 180°
• Each spherical angle is less than 180°
FORMULAS OF SPHERICAL TRIANGLE

• Some formulas
• Sine Rule
sin 𝑎𝑎 sin 𝑏𝑏 sin 𝑐𝑐
= =
sin 𝐴𝐴 sin 𝐵𝐵 sin 𝐶𝐶
• Cosine Rule
cos 𝑎𝑎 = cos 𝑏𝑏 cos 𝑐𝑐 + sin 𝑏𝑏 sin 𝑐𝑐 sin 𝐴𝐴
• Analogue of Cosine Rule
sin 𝑎𝑎 cos 𝐵𝐵 = cos 𝑏𝑏 sin 𝑐𝑐 − sin 𝑏𝑏 cos 𝑐𝑐 cos 𝐴𝐴
• Four Parts Formula
cos 𝑎𝑎 cos 𝐶𝐶 = sin 𝑎𝑎 cot 𝑏𝑏 − sin 𝐶𝐶 cot 𝐵𝐵
CONVERSION OF COORDINATES (DEFINING
VARIABLES)
• Horizontal Coordinates
• Alt → a, Azimuth → A
• Zenith Distance = 90° - a

• Equitorial Coordinates
• Declination → 𝛿𝛿, Latitude on Earth → 𝜙𝜙, hour angle → h

• Ecliptic
• Latitude → 𝛽𝛽, Longitude → 𝛼𝛼
SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Stars are Circumpolar if

𝛿𝛿 ≥ 90 − ϕ
• Stars are Never Rising if
𝛿𝛿 < ϕ − 90
HORIZONTAL TO EQUITORIAL

• We use a spherical triangle often called Spherical Triangle:

XPZ,
where Z is the zenith, P is the North Celestial Pole, and X
is the object.
• The sides of the triangle:
PZ is the observer's co-latitude = 90°-φ.
ZX is the zenith distance of X = 90°-a.
PX is the North Polar Distance of X = 90°-δ.
• The angles of the triangle:
The angle at P is H, the local Hour Angle of X.
The angle at Z is 360°-A, where A is the azimuth of X.
The angle at X is q, the parallactic angle.
• Local Sidereal Time is b
HORIZONTAL TO EQUITORIAL

• sin(δ) = sin(a)sin(φ) + cos(a) cos(φ) • Having calculated H, ascertain the Local

cos(A) Sidereal Time t.
• We can now use the sine rule to get H, Then the R.A. follows from
using the same formula as above: R.A. = t – H .
sin(H) = - sin(A) cos(a) / cos(δ)
Or use the cosine rule instead:
sin(a) = sin(δ)sin(φ) + cos(δ) cos(φ)
cos(H)
and rearrange to find H:
cos(H) = { sin(a) - sin(δ) sin(φ) } /
cos(δ) cos(φ)
EQUATORIAL TO HORIZONTAL

• Local Hour Angle H = LST - RA, in hours; • By the sine rule:

convert H to degrees (multiply by 15). sin(360°-A)/sin(90°-δ) = sin(H)/sin(90°-a)
Given H and δ, we require azimuth A and altitude which simplifies to:
a. - sin(A)/cos(δ) = sin(H)/cos(a)
i.e. sin(A) = - sin(H) cos(δ) / cos(a)
• By the cosine rule: cos (90° − 𝑎𝑎) = cos(90° −
which gives us the azimuth A.
𝛿𝛿 ) cos(90° − 𝜑𝜑) + sin(90° − 𝛿𝛿) sin(90° −
𝜑𝜑) cos(𝐻𝐻) • Alternatively, use the cosine rule again: which
which simplifies to: simplifies to
𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔(𝒂𝒂) sin(δ) = sin(φ) sin(a) + cos(φ) cos(a) cos(A)
= 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔(𝜹𝜹) 𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔(𝝋𝝋) + 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄(𝜹𝜹) 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄(𝝋𝝋) 𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄(𝑯𝑯) Rearrange to find A:
This gives us the altitude a. cos(A) = { sin(δ) - sin(φ) sin(a) } / cos(φ)
cos(a)
which again gives us the azimuth A
HORIZONTAL AND EQUATORIAL

HORIZONTAL TO EQUATORIAL EQUATORIAL TO HORIZONTAL

• sin 𝛿𝛿 = sin 𝑎𝑎 sin 𝜑𝜑 + cos 𝑎𝑎 cos 𝜑𝜑 cos 𝐴𝐴 • H = t – RA
sin 𝐴𝐴 cos 𝑎𝑎 • sin(𝑎𝑎) = sin 𝛿𝛿𝛿𝛿𝛿𝛿𝛿 + cos 𝛿𝛿 cos 𝜑𝜑 cos 𝐻𝐻
• sin(𝐻𝐻) = −
cos 𝛿𝛿
sin 𝐻𝐻 cos 𝛿𝛿
sin 𝑎𝑎 −sin 𝛿𝛿 sin 𝜑𝜑 • sin(𝐴𝐴) = −
cos 𝑎𝑎
• cos 𝐻𝐻 =
cos 𝛿𝛿 cos 𝜑𝜑
sin 𝛿𝛿 −sin 𝜑𝜑 sin 𝑎𝑎
• RA = t – H • cos 𝐴𝐴 =
cos 𝜑𝜑 cos 𝑎𝑎
FOR RISE OF SUN OR ANY OTHER BODY

cos 𝐻𝐻 = − tan 𝛿𝛿 tan 𝜙𝜙

• Used to find out equinox day length
• Equinox day length
• Maximum minimum length at a latitude
• Calculate rise time at Mumbai on Winter Solstice
EXAMPLE (ASTRO GC 2016)

The most well known scientist Dr. Cloe Bhatore deploys her personal droid N1T-FAT3HPKR to monitor
the sun. Though it normally gives delayed results it is known for its excellent performance when it comes
to imaging. Prof Chloe would like to image the sun right from the beginning of sunrise to the end of
sunset. Towards the end of summer in North pole, she sets up the droid in the south pole, gives the
command to start as soon as sun begins to rise and comes back her home in North pole. After 6 months
when she comes back to the south pole to retrieve the images, she finds that there are no images from
the beginning of sunrise to the end of sunrise. This was because of the inherent delay in the working of
droid.
Find this inherent delay in the working of N1T-FAT3HPKR. Given sun extends an angle of 13.71° at the
earth (That’s not exact it’s hypothetical.)

Hint: The sunrise and sunset at the poles happen due to the motion of the sun along the ecliptic (The
path along which the sun travels in the background of stars). Assume circular orbit of earth and that the
sun moves 1o along the ecliptic everyday. Assume plane trigonometry. (Don’t go into spherical
trigonometry).
QUESTION 1

• Question requires us to calculate rise time of sun on poles. How to do it. Given diameter
of sun = 13.712°
sin ∠𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 sin ∠𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂
=
sin 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 sin 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴

∠𝐵𝐵′𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂 = 23.5°, ∠𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 = 90°, 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = 13.712

B’ O

sin 13.712
⇒ 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = sin−1 = 17.4199 B
sin 23.5°
C

360
Sun moves along ecliptic at a pace of = .9856° 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑦𝑦 −1 A
365.25
No. of days required for sunrise=35.9501 days
EQUATORIAL AND ECLIPTIC

EQUATORIAL TO ECLIPTIC ECLIPTIC TO EQUATORIAL

sin 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 cos 𝑖𝑖+tan 𝛿𝛿 sin 𝑖𝑖 sin 𝛼𝛼 cos 𝑖𝑖−tan 𝛽𝛽 sin 𝑖𝑖
• tan 𝛼𝛼 = • tan 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 =
cos 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 cos 𝛼𝛼

• sin 𝛽𝛽 = sin 𝛿𝛿 cos 𝑖𝑖 − cos 𝛿𝛿 sin 𝑖𝑖 sin(𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅) • sin 𝛿𝛿 = sin 𝛽𝛽 cos 𝑖𝑖 + cos 𝛽𝛽 sin 𝑖𝑖 sin 𝛼𝛼
• 𝑖𝑖 = 23.5° (𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜)
TYPES OF SUN

• True Sun is defined by Hour angle +12 h of sun, It is the time shown by sundial
• Mean Sun is defined as hour angle of sun assuming it moves with constant angular
velocity
• Difference in mean sun and true sun can be up to 16 mins. This is due to
• Orbit is elliptical
• Obliquities of ecliptic
• Equation of time = (True – Mean ) Solar Time

• One of the visible effect is that Sunrise in early January to a nearly fixed time yet day
length is increasing
SUN’S ANALEMMA

• If you daily picture sun at same time everyday you would get a 8 like figure
SUN’S ANALEMMA
THANK YOU