Table of Contents
How do you solve great circle sailing problems?
formula : cos gc = (sine lat a * sine lat b) + (cos lat a * cos lat b * cos longitude diff.)
What is the purpose of great circle sailing?
A method of navigating a ship along the shortest navigable distance between the point of departure and the point of arrival. The shortest distance between any two points on a sphere is the circumference of the circle which joins them and whose centre is at the centre of the sphere.
How is sailing distance calculated?
Multiply Speed X Time to Find Distance. 5.5 knots X 24 hours = 132 nautical miles.
What are the disadvantages of great circle sailing?
The advantage of a great circle is obvious, the shorter distance. The disadvantages, depending on latitude, could be quite a few. Colder weather, stronger winds, higher seas and perhaps even icebergs.
How does the great circle route work?
Planes travel along the shortest route in 3-dimensional space. This route is called a geodesic or great circle. While map projections distort these routes confusing passengers, the great circle path is the shortest path between two far locations. This is why pilots fly polar routes saving time and distance.
What formula is used to find vertex and longitude?
If we know the longitude of one of the vertex the longitude of the vertex in other hemisphere is found by adding 180°, then subtracting from 360° and changing the name.
What is the formula for distance in navigation?
To find the Distance use the formula of D=ST/60. You would multiply the Speed of 14 by the Time of 40 and divide by 60, giving you a distance of 9.33 nautical miles.
What is an example of a great circle?
The Equator is another of the Earth’s great circles. If you were to cut into the Earth right on its Equator, you’d have two equal halves: the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The Equator is the only east-west line that is a great circle.
Should I use the great circle sailing?
The decision as to whether or not to use great circle sailing depends upon the conditions. The savings in distance should be worth the additional effort, and of course the great circle route cannot cross land, nor should it carry the vessel into dangerous waters.
What is the graphic solution to the great circle problem?
The graphic solution of great circle problems involves the use of two charts. NIMA publishes several gnomonic projections covering the principal navigable waters of the world. On these great circle charts, any straight line is a great circle.
What is the problem of great circle navigation?
This paper deals with the realization of the great circle navigation. In practice, the main problem occurs because the great circle is a curve on the Mercator navigation chart, which has to be broken down into a number of smaller rhumb line parts.
What is the difference between rhumb line and great circle sailing?
The rhumb line and great circle may intersect each other, and if the points are equal distances on each side of the equator, the intersection takes place at the equator. Great circle sailing takes advantage of the shorter distance along the great circle between two points, rather than the longer rhumb line.