Articles | Volume 15, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-15-7-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-15-7-2026
Research article
 | 
06 Jan 2026
Research article |  | 06 Jan 2026

The azimuth observation by Global Navigation Satellite Systems as an alternative to astronomical method: a case study at Kakioka

Hiroki Matsushita, Daisuke Matsuura, Funa Iizuka, Junpei Oogi, and Seiki Asari

Cited articles

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Bracke, S. (Ed.): INTERMAGNET Operations Committee and Executive Council, INTERMAGNET Technical Reference Manual, Version 5.2.0, https://tech-man.intermagnet.org/_/downloads/en/stable/pdf/ (last access: 24 May 2025), 2025. 
Jankowski, J. and Sucksdorff, C.: Guide for Magnetic Measurements and Observatory Practice, International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy, Warsaw, 118–124, ISBN 0-96506862-5, 1996. 
Kakioka Magnetic Observatory: Kansoku Sishin, Gijutsu Hokoku, 26, 1987 (in Japanese). 
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Short summary
We have adopted Polaris sighting as our azimuth observation at our observatories for a long time. This method, however, has some difficulties such as weather-dependent observation conditions. Therefore, we examined the satellite method and found that its precision was comparable to the Polaris sighting. We also found that a significant difference of about 10 arcseconds between them. This is due likely to a deflection of vertical, which is well known in the field of geodetic surveying.
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