<p>Minutes of a degree are "minúte". There are a few things that could cause errors. One is atmospheric refraction: it can cause an error of about 1 minute at the an alt of 45degrees, and over 30minutes on the horizon. When observing objects close to the horizon, this is a sigificant source of error</p>

<p>Its pretty much impossible to check without access to the source code. However There is plenty of astronomical software that can calulate Az-Alt positions. Pyephem, xephem, stellarium come to mind, and you can ask them to calculate with or without atmospheric distortion. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-28T07:24:34.593Z
Thanks but I don't asking about if you can check my software, I want to use another implementations to check if my software is generating the right value.
VansFannel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-28T08:07:01.603Z
Ok then pyephem or stellarium. (depending on whether you want a programming or graphical interface)
James K
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-28T08:24:56.473Z
The example (Rigel?) could be better chosen, as it is below the horizon at the time given, and it is not clear how to deal with atmospheric distortion for points below the horizon. Test with stars that are near the zenith
James K
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-28T10:30:03.473Z
Yes, it's Rigel. I will check it with stars near zenith.
VansFannel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-29T07:55:47.573Z
I have updated my question with a calculation for year 2000 to check precession problem. But I'm not sure what is precession.
VansFannel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-27T23:58:13.867Z
2015-11-27T23:58:13.867Z
James K
<p>I have implemented the formulas to convert AR and Dec into altitude and Azimuth in C++ following the book <a href="http://www.amazon.es/Practical-Astronomy-Calculator-Spreadsheet-Spiral/dp/0521146542/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1448651526&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=practical%20astronomy%20with%20your%20calculator" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Practical Astronomy with your Calculator or Spreadsheet 4th Edition</a>.</p>

<p>In the book there is an example to check if I have do it fine. This example works perfectly but I want to check if my formulas are correct.</p>

<p>I have use this <a href="http://www.stargazing.net/mas/al_az.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">page</a> to check it but I get different minutes values in both altitude and azimuth values.</p>

<p>I have checked on that page that I get the same LST value, but ALT and AZ have different values. This data I have tested:</p>

<pre><code>Altitude: -15° 27' 40"
Azimuth:  273° 12' 34"
</code></pre>

<p>This is the data get it from that page:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/TD44D.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/TD44D.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Do you know if there is another web page or program to check if the result of my formulas are correct?</p>

<p><strong>UPDATE:</strong><br/>
I have tried to get Azimuth and Altitude using a date in year 2000 in web page and my program and this is the result (you can find my program's result at the bottom of the image):
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ccf6s.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ccf6s.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Is this the same problem like the previous one (I'm not taking account for precession)?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-28T17:12:42.163Z
Yes, I'm not accounting for precession.
VansFannel
<coordinate>
Software to convert RA and DEC into ALT and AZ
VansFannel
# Software to convert RA and DEC into ALT and AZ

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-11-27)

I have implemented the formulas to convert AR and Dec into altitude and Azimuth in C++ following the book [Practical Astronomy with your Calculator or Spreadsheet 4th Edition](http://www.amazon.es/Practical-Astronomy-Calculator-Spreadsheet-Spiral/dp/0521146542/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1448651526&sr=8-2&keywords=practical%20astronomy%20with%20your%20calculator).

In the book there is an example to check if I have do it fine. This example works perfectly but I want to check if my formulas are correct.

I have use this [page](http://www.stargazing.net/mas/al_az.htm) to check it but I get different minutes values in both altitude and azimuth values.

I have checked on that page that I get the same LST value, but ALT and AZ have different values. This data I have tested:

```
Altitude: -15° 27' 40"
Azimuth:  273° 12' 34"

```

This is the data get it from that page:
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/TD44D.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/TD44D.png)

Do you know if there is another web page or program to check if the result of my formulas are correct?

**UPDATE:**  
I have tried to get Azimuth and Altitude using a date in year 2000 in web page and my program and this is the result (you can find my program's result at the bottom of the image):
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ccf6s.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/ccf6s.png)

Is this the same problem like the previous one (I'm not taking account for precession)?

**Tags:** coordinate

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Yes, I'm not accounting for precession.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-11-27. Score: 1

Minutes of a degree are "minúte". There are a few things that could cause errors. One is atmospheric refraction: it can cause an error of about 1 minute at the an alt of 45degrees, and over 30minutes on the horizon. When observing objects close to the horizon, this is a sigificant source of error

Its pretty much impossible to check without access to the source code. However There is plenty of astronomical software that can calulate Az-Alt positions. Pyephem, xephem, stellarium come to mind, and you can ask them to calculate with or without atmospheric distortion.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks but I don't asking about if you can check my software, I want to use another implementations to check if my software is generating the right value.  
> **username_1**: Ok then pyephem or stellarium. (depending on whether you want a programming or graphical interface)  
> **username_1**: The example (Rigel?) could be better chosen, as it is below the horizon at the time given, and it is not clear how to deal with atmospheric distortion for points below the horizon. Test with stars that are near the zenith  
> **username_0**: Yes, it's Rigel. I will check it with stars near zenith.  
> **username_0**: I have updated my question with a calculation for year 2000 to check precession problem. But I'm not sure what is precession.  

---

