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A star transit is the passage of a star across the
A star transit is the passage of a star across the field of view
The field of view (FoV) is the extent of the observable world that is seen at any given moment. In the case of optical instruments or sensors it is a solid angle through which a detector is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation.
Humans a ...
of a telescope
A telescope is a device used to observe distant objects by their emission, absorption, or reflection of electromagnetic radiation. Originally meaning only an optical instrument using lenses, curved mirrors, or a combination of both to obse ...
eyepiece
An eyepiece, or ocular lens, is a type of lens that is attached to a variety of optical devices such as telescopes and microscopes. It is named because it is usually the lens that is closest to the eye when someone looks through the device. The ...
.
The precise observation of star transits is the basis of many methods in astronomy
Astronomy () is a natural science that studies astronomical object, celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and chronology of the Universe, evolution. Objects of interest ...
and in geodesy
Geodesy ( ) is the Earth science of accurately measuring and understanding Earth's figure (geometric shape and size), Earth rotation, orientation in space, and Earth's gravity, gravity. The field also incorporates studies of how these properti ...
. The measurements can be done in different ways:
# visually
Visual.ly is a community platform for data visualization and infographics.Tsotsis, AlexiaVisual.ly Raises $2 Million To Make Even More Infographics October 20, 2011. It was founded by Stew Langille, Lee Sherman, Tal Siach, and Adam Breckler in ...
(mostly up to 1990): accuracy 0,1" to 2" (depending on the instrument); timing with digital clocks about 0,05–0,2 seconds
# by CCD and other electro-optical sensor
Electro-optical sensors are electronic detectors that convert light, or a change in light, into an electronic signal. These sensors are able to detect electromagnetic radiation from the infrared up to the ultraviolet wavelengths. They are used in ...
s: as above, time often better
# semi automatic instruments: Photography
Photography is the visual art, art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light, either electronically by means of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. It i ...
or " impersonal micrometer", ca. 2 times better than No.1
# by Scanning methods: Astrometry
Astrometry is a branch of astronomy that involves precise measurements of the positions and movements of stars and other celestial bodies. It provides the kinematics and physical origin of the Solar System and this galaxy, the Milky Way.
Histor ...
satellite
A satellite or artificial satellite is an object intentionally placed into orbit in outer space. Except for passive satellites, most satellites have an electricity generation system for equipment on board, such as solar panels or radioiso ...
s like Hipparcos
''Hipparcos'' was a scientific satellite of the European Space Agency (ESA), launched in 1989 and operated until 1993. It was the first space experiment devoted to precision astrometry, the accurate measurement of the positions of celestial obj ...
about 0,01".
See also
*Accuracy and precision
Accuracy and precision are two measures of '' observational error''.
''Accuracy'' is how close a given set of measurements (observations or readings) are to their '' true value'', while ''precision'' is how close the measurements are to each ot ...
* Instrument error
* Meridian circle
The meridian circle is an instrument for timing of the passage of stars across the local meridian, an event known as a culmination, while at the same time measuring their angular distance from the nadir. These are special purpose telescopes mount ...
* Minute and second of arc
A minute of arc, arcminute (arcmin), arc minute, or minute arc, denoted by the symbol , is a unit of angular measurement equal to of one degree. Since one degree is of a turn (or complete rotation), one minute of arc is of a turn. The na ...
* Theodolite
A theodolite () is a precision optical instrument for measuring angles between designated visible points in the horizontal and vertical planes. The traditional use has been for land surveying, but it is also used extensively for building and ...
* Transit instrument
In astronomy, a transit instrument is a small telescope with extremely precisely graduated mount used for the precise observation of star positions. They were previously widely used in astronomical observatories and naval observatories to me ...
Literature
*Karl Ramsayer
Karl Ramsayer (29 September 1911, Schwäbisch Gmünd''Große Kreisstadt Schwäbisch Gmünd. Personalia'' in ''ostalb einhorn. Vierteljahreshefte für Heimat und Kultur im Ostalbkreis'', Nr. 37/38, Arbeitsgemeinschaft Einhorn-Verlag E. Dietenberger ...
, 1969: '' Geodätische Astronomie'', Vol.2a of Handbuch der Vermessungskunde, 900 p., J.B. Metzler-Verlag Stuttgart.
* Ivan I. Mueller Ivan Istvan Mueller (9 January 1930, Budapest – 12 April 2023, Bloomfield, Connecticut) was a Hungarian-American geodesist and
professor at Ohio State University, a leading training center for geodesy in the USA.
Biography
Ivan I. Mueller and h ...
, 1969: Spherical and Practical Astronomy as applied to Geodesy, 610 p., Fred.Ungar publ., USA
* IAU
The International Astronomical Union (IAU; french: link=yes, Union astronomique internationale, UAI) is a nongovernmental organisation with the objective of advancing astronomy in all aspects, including promoting astronomical research, outreach ...
Coll.48: ''Modern Astrometry
Astrometry is a branch of astronomy that involves precise measurements of the positions and movements of stars and other celestial bodies. It provides the kinematics and physical origin of the Solar System and this galaxy, the Milky Way.
Histor ...
'', Egermann, University Vienna.
Astrometry
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