computed altitude

computed altitude

[kəm′pyüd·əd ′al·tə‚tüd]

(navigation)

In celestial navigation, tabulated altitude interpolated for increments of latitude, declination, or hour angle; if no interpolation is required, the tabulated altitude and computed altitude are identical.

Altitude determined by computation, table, mechanical computer, or graphics, particularly such an altitude of the center of a celestial body measured as an arc on a vertical circle of the celestial sphere from the celestial horizon. Also known as calculated altitude.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

computed altitude

i. The indicated altitude corrected for installation and instrument errors. Also called calibrated altitude.
ii. A mathematical computation of the correct celestial altitude of a body at a specific geographic position, for a given date and time. This method helps the navigators quickly find a specific celestial body. Computed altitude is represented by the symbol H_C.

An Illustrated Dictionary of Aviation Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved