navigational triangle


navigational triangle

[‚nav·ə′gā·shən·əl ′trī‚aŋ·gəl] (navigation) In celestial navigation, the spherical triangle solved in computing altitude and azimuth and great-circle sailing problems.

navigational triangle

navigational triangleThe spherical triangle solved in computing altitude and azimuth or great-circle problems. The celestial triangle is formed on the celestial sphere by the great circles connecting the elevated pole, the zenith of the assumed position of the observer, and a celestial body. The terrestrial triangle is formed on a spherical earth by the great circles connecting the pole and two places on earth, either the assumed position of the observer and the geographic position of the body for celestial observations or the points of departure and destination for great-circle problems. The expression navigational triangle applies to either the celestial or the terrestrial triangle used for solving navigation problems.