Navigational transit
Encyclopedia
In navigation
and position fixing
, a transit occurs when a navigator observes two fixed reference points that are in line with the navigator. This creates a position line
. The intersection of two position lines tells the navigator his location.
Sensitive reference points for transits are far apart; the closer they are, the more difficult it is to tell if they are lined up.
Transits usually rely on visual reference points. Often that is their downfall; good visual conditions are needed to make use of them.
Navigation
Navigation is the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigation tasks...
and position fixing
Position fixing
Position fixing is the branch of navigation concerned with the use of a variety of visual and electronic methods to determine the position of a ship, aircraft or person on the surface of the Earth.These techniques include:...
, a transit occurs when a navigator observes two fixed reference points that are in line with the navigator. This creates a position line
Position line
A position line is a line that can be identified both on a nautical chart or aeronautical chart and by observation out on the surface of the earth...
. The intersection of two position lines tells the navigator his location.
Sensitive reference points for transits are far apart; the closer they are, the more difficult it is to tell if they are lined up.
Transits usually rely on visual reference points. Often that is their downfall; good visual conditions are needed to make use of them.