Astronomical Data Accuracy
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg112847] Astronomical Data Accuracy
- From: "Tim McShane" <tmcshane1 at verizon.net>
- Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2010 03:38:44 -0400 (EDT)
Hi,
Does anyone know what the accuracy is for the AstronomicalData
calculations for "Altitude" for the sun, moon, planets? I'm writing a
Mathematica program to solve celestial navigation problems. I used the
following code:
AstronomicalData["Sun", {"Altitude", {2010, 10, 1, 12, 0, 0}, {39.,
-77.}}, TimeZone -> 0]
This gives a result of 9.83748 deg.
However, when I ran the same computation using The United States Naval
Observatory (USNO) online data service (www.usno.navy.mil/USNO) the
altitude was given as 9.93889 deg. This is a difference of 0.1 deg.
I'm sure the Mathematica AstronomicalData functions were never intended
to replicate the accuracy and precision of the USNO computation.
However, 0.1 deg seems a bit much, especially when doing
navigation/astronomy calculations. Does Mathematica use low accuracy
formulae, or did I do something wrong? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim