The Comparison of Two Methods for the Absolute Determination of the Azimuth of A Meridian Circle

In this paper the conventional circumpolar star-azimuth mark observation method is compared with the newly proposed prime vertical-meridian circle observation method from the observation principle and the sources of error in the absolute determination of the azimuth of a meridian instrument. The results; how that much more accurate determined values can be obtained if the new method is used. Two ways to overcome a principled shortcoming of the new method arc also suggested in the paper.