This comprehensive work offers a rigorous and detailed exploration of spherical and practical astronomy, encompassing both general principles and specialized applications in nautical astronomy. It delves into the theory and practical use of both fixed and portable astronomical instruments, providing a thorough grounding in the methods employed by astronomers. The author meticulously explains the mathematical rigor behind the presented methods, emphasizing the importance of achieving computational accuracy that does not introduce errors exceeding those inherent in observational data. This book examines various techniques for determining time and latitude using astronomical observations, including methods based on transits, equal altitudes, single altitudes, and circummeridian altitudes. Furthermore, it addresses the calculation of longitude using diverse approaches, such as chronometers, signals, the electric telegraph, moon culminations, and lunar distances. The treatment of eclipses, including solar and lunar eclipses, and occultations of stars and planets, is particularly thorough, extending to the detailed consideration of the planets' ellipsoidal shapes. Finally, this book includes an appendix dedicated to the method of least squares, providing a valuable resource for combining and interpreting astronomical observations.
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