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Astronomical Vessel Heading Determination based on Simultaneously Imaging the Moon and the Horizon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 April 2018

Jun-yu Pu ,
Chong-hui Li ,
Yong Zheng  and
Yin-hu Zhan
Jun-yu Pu
Affiliation:
(Zhengzhou Institute of Surveying and Mapping, Zhengzhou, China, 450001)
Chong-hui Li*
Affiliation:
(Zhengzhou Institute of Surveying and Mapping, Zhengzhou, China, 450001)
Yong Zheng
Affiliation:
(Zhengzhou Institute of Surveying and Mapping, Zhengzhou, China, 450001)
Yin-hu Zhan
Affiliation:
(Zhengzhou Institute of Surveying and Mapping, Zhengzhou, China, 450001)
*
(E-mail: lichonghui6501@126.com)
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Abstract

Heading angle is a vital parameter in maintaining a vessel's track along a planned course and should be guaranteed in a stable and reliable way. An innovative method of heading determination based on a fisheye camera, which is almost totally unaffected by electromagnetism and geomagnetism, is proposed in this paper. In addition, unlike traditional astronomical methods, it also has a certain degree of adaptability to cloudy weather. Utilising the super wide Field Of View (FOV) of the camera, it is able to simultaneously image the Moon and the horizon. The Moon is treated as the observed celestial body and the horizon works as the horizontal datum. Two experiments were conducted at sea, successfully proving the feasibility of this method. The proposed heading determination system has the merits of automation, resistance to interference and could be miniaturised, making application viable.

Keywords

VesselHeadingFisheye cameraMoonHorizon
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , Volume 71 , Issue 5 , September 2018 , pp. 1247 - 1262
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 2018 

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