Definition
From an assumed position, compute the altitude and azimuth the body would have. Subtract the computed altitude from the observed altitude; the difference in minutes of arc is the intercept in nautical miles. If observed exceeds computed the vessel is that far toward the body's azimuth, remembered as Ho Mo To, and the position line is drawn perpendicular to the azimuth at the intercept's end. Intercepts over about 30 miles suggest a poor assumed position and warrant recomputation.
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