Dictionary term
Latitude by Meridian Altitude
Direct answer
Latitude by Meridian Altitude is a latitude calculation using a body's corrected altitude when it crosses the observer's meridian and its declination.
Latitude by Meridian Altitude is a noon-or-transit latitude method used in historical astronomy, timekeeping, or navigation.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Also appears in
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Aliases
- None listed
- Last updated
- 2026-07-16
Quick reference
- Use when
- Use Latitude by Meridian Altitude by identifying upper or lower transit, correcting the altitude, and applying the correct same-name or contrary-name rule.
- Do not use it for
- A near-noon sight is not automatically the exact meridian altitude, and a wrong declination sign reverses the result.
- Reference category
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Related terms
- Celestial Navigation, Dead Reckoning, Longitude by Chronometer, Noon Sight
The story behind Latitude by Meridian Altitude
Meridian altitudes of the Sun and stars were among the most enduring practical latitude methods.
Latitude by Meridian Altitude in spiritual tradition
Latitude by Meridian Altitude rewards careful observation, explicit assumptions, and humility about the limits of every model or measurement.
The Great Almanac frames Latitude by Meridian Altitude with educational restraint. Mystical or symbolic language may be meaningful, but it should not be exaggerated into certainty, panic, or permission to ignore ordinary responsibility.
Latitude by Meridian Altitude in the Bible
This is a factual history-of-science, instrument, timekeeping, or navigation reference. It may support wonder and disciplined attention without becoming a claim of fate, worship, or private revelation.
Latitude by Meridian Altitude in numerology
Latitude by Meridian Altitude is not a numerology claim. Any numbers attached to it should retain their ordinary scientific, calendrical, navigational, or historical meaning unless a separate symbolic interpretation is clearly labeled.
Why Latitude by Meridian Altitude matters
Latitude by Meridian Altitude matters because meridian geometry reduces the problem to the relationship among zenith distance, declination, and latitude.
Example in a reading: At upper transit, ninety degrees minus corrected altitude gives zenith distance for combination with declination.
Interpretive caution: A near-noon sight is not automatically the exact meridian altitude, and a wrong declination sign reverses the result.
How Latitude by Meridian Altitude is used in a reading
Use Latitude by Meridian Altitude by identifying upper or lower transit, correcting the altitude, and applying the correct same-name or contrary-name rule.
Where interpretation stops
Latitude by Meridian Altitude is presented as sourced astronomy, calendrical, Earth-science, cultural, or instrument-history reference. Definitions should distinguish measured phenomena from civil convention and historical interpretation, preserve location and time dependencies, and avoid turning factual sky data into a deterministic personal claim.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency: The American Practical Navigator - Official modern reference for navigation principles, celestial observations, sight reduction, and navigational tables.
- U.S. Naval Observatory: Astronomical and Navigational Almanacs - Official descriptions of the Astronomical Almanac, Nautical Almanac, and their tabular data.
The page starts with a direct definition, then separates use, example, caution, spiritual meaning, and historical context. For astrology, occult, demonology, curse, and spiritual warfare terms, the editorial rule is to explain the term without making fear-based, fatalistic, medical, legal, financial, or ritual-instruction claims.
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These related entries help place Latitude by Meridian Altitude inside a wider reference cluster instead of leaving it as a standalone keyword.
