Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T15:59:23.999Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Calculating astronomical refraction by means of continued fractions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 August 2015

S. Mikkola*
Affiliation:
Dept. of Astronomy, Univ. of Turku, Finland

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

A continued fraction was derived for the summation of the asymptotic expansion of astronomical refraction. Using simple approximations for the last denominator of the fraction, accurate formulae, useful down to the horizon, were obtained. The method is not restricted to any model of the atmosphere and can thus be used in calculations based on actual aerological measurements.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Reidel 1979 

References

5. References

1. Henrici, P., Quotient-Difference Algorithms, p. 37 in ‘Mathematical Methods for Digital Computers’, Vol. II (Ralston, and Wilf, ), Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York-London-Sydney, (1967).Google Scholar
2. Joshi, C.H., and Mueller, I.I., Review of Refraction Effects of the Atmosphere on Geodetic Measurements to Celestial Bodies, p. 83 in ‘The Present State and Future of the Astronomical Refraction Investigations’, Proc. of the Study Group on Astronomical Union Commission 8. (Ed. Teleki, G.), Publ. Astr. Obs. of Belgrade No. 18, Belgrade (1974).Google Scholar
3. Mikkola, S., Computing Astronomical Refraction by Means of Continued Fractions. Rep. Finn. Geod. Inst. 78:6. Helsinki (1978).Google Scholar
4. Newcomb, S., A Compendium of Spherical Astronomy. The Macmillan Company, New York (1906), Reprinted by Dover Publications, Inc., New York (1960).Google Scholar
5. Oterma, L., Computing the Refraction for the Väisälä Astronomical Method of Triangulation, Astr.-Opt. Inst., Univ. of Turku, Informo 20, Turku (1960).Google Scholar
6. Wall, H.S., Analytic Theory of Continued Fractions. Van Nostrand, Princeton, New Jersey (1948).Google Scholar