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FIELD ASTRONOMY FOR SURVEYORS
by: G.G. Bennett & J.G. Freislich

From the Preface:
"This textbook is the outcome of a long period of close collaboration between
the authors in the teaching of field astronomy at the University of New South
Wales, Australia. The scope of this book is confined to those aspects of
astronomical theory and practice, which are appropriate for observations made
with a modern single second theodolite. Included in the book are many
examples of observations taken in both hemispheres. The calculation of these
observations is given in greater detail than that normally required, in order
to help the student reduce his own observations. Astronomical methods of
high accuracy required for the geodetic control of continental areas have not
been included.
In such a well-established subject of study in surveying education as field
astronomy, it may be presumed that there is very little new that can be
written. However, over their years of teaching, the authors found that there
was no textbook for student reference which used conventions, which were not
biased to one hemisphere and which also covered a systematic treatment of
predicting observing programmes and analysing the results of observations
made with a theodolite. 
...
It is the opinion of the authors that a study of field astronomy has many desirable
features, which make it attractive as a discipline and as a subject of
interest to both students and experienced surveyors. Besides gaining an
understanding of celestial phenomena, a study of field astronomy exercises
the student in spherical trigonometry, convergence of meridians, error theory
and least squares methods as well as theodolite construction and adjustment,
all of which complement the instruction in other surveying subjects. The
student also gains the satisfaction of being able to find his geographical
position and determine the azimuth of a terrestrial line with a high degree
of accuracy with little more equipment than is required for normal surveying
operations."

This book, long out of print, has now been made available online by George Bennett.
Go to:
http://gbennett.customer.netspace.net.au/
then the link at bottom left entitled:
'Field Astronomy'.
This should open a PDF file of about 12.7 megabytes; the 249-page book.

About it, George Bennett writes to me recently: 

The book was first published in 1979 and reprinted in 1980 and was directed towards the surveying fraternity, especially to those studying the subject at the Uni. It has been out of print for some time and hasn't been reprinted because of the general use of GPS. However as you know there is still a residual interest in celestial navigation and this book provides substantial sections on spherical trig, position lines etc. The main difference between the surveyor's and the navigator's applications is the use of a theodolite for the former and a sextant for the latter. For this reason one could obtain most of what one needs for navigation from the book. One big advantage is the use of generalisation of the elements used in the solution of the astronomical triangle. No longer is it necessary to draw a diagram and derive a relationship for each problem.

I've made up and attached here a much smaller PDF file comprising just the four 'Contents' pages, as I think a perusal of them is possibly the best introduction to the book.  Within the book, I think the page of formulae alone is potentially especially valuable to all who may be interested in almost any aspect of nav.



 

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