Dictionary term
Observed Altitude
Direct answer
Observed Altitude is the celestial angle read from the sextant or other instrument before the full correction sequence.
Observed Altitude is a raw instrument altitude 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 Observed Altitude by recording the exact reading, body, limb, index correction, UTC, and horizon conditions together.
- Do not use it for
- Terminology varies by manual, so verify whether a worksheet uses observed altitude before or after index and dip correction.
- Reference category
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Related terms
- Greenwich Hour Angle, Assumed Position, Computed Altitude, Altitude Correction
The story behind Observed Altitude
Navigation workbooks traditionally separated sextant altitude, corrected intermediate values, and final observed altitude notation.
Observed Altitude in spiritual tradition
Observed Altitude rewards careful observation, explicit assumptions, and humility about the limits of every model or measurement.
The Great Almanac frames Observed 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.
Observed 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.
Observed Altitude in numerology
Observed 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 Observed Altitude matters
Observed Altitude matters because keeping the raw observation distinct preserves an audit trail from instrument reading to final altitude.
Example in a reading: A sextant reading of 28 degrees 14.6 minutes is logged before dip and body corrections are applied.
Interpretive caution: Terminology varies by manual, so verify whether a worksheet uses observed altitude before or after index and dip correction.
How Observed Altitude is used in a reading
Use Observed Altitude by recording the exact reading, body, limb, index correction, UTC, and horizon conditions together.
Where interpretation stops
Observed 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.
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 Observed Altitude inside a wider reference cluster instead of leaving it as a standalone keyword.
