What do you think?
Rate this book
Celestial Navigation
To the uninitiated, celestial navigation appears to be a somewhat frightening exercise in mathematics.
In fact, the maximum mathematics involved in the new sight reduction systems is the addition of three lines of figures. Similarly, the apparent complexities of the solar and stellar systems take on a less frightening appearance when related to the lighthouses and similar earthly objects used for coastal navigation.
Throughout this book, the author uses such a comparison between earthly and heavenly objects in explaining the close relationship between coastal and celestial navigation. In doing so, he reduces a complex subject to a simple and interesting one that can be absorbed by even the most non-mathematically minded. The book concentrates for much of its length on the plotting of the boat's position by sun, planets, and stars when out of sight of land. It also deals with related navigational routines such as checking the compass by using heavenly objects, taking radio time signals, and adjusting the sextant for day-to-day corrections.
This is celestial navigation in its simplest form, presented in a way which even the most amateur navigator can understand and absorb.
In fact, the maximum mathematics involved in the new sight reduction systems is the addition of three lines of figures. Similarly, the apparent complexities of the solar and stellar systems take on a less frightening appearance when related to the lighthouses and similar earthly objects used for coastal navigation.
Throughout this book, the author uses such a comparison between earthly and heavenly objects in explaining the close relationship between coastal and celestial navigation. In doing so, he reduces a complex subject to a simple and interesting one that can be absorbed by even the most non-mathematically minded. The book concentrates for much of its length on the plotting of the boat's position by sun, planets, and stars when out of sight of land. It also deals with related navigational routines such as checking the compass by using heavenly objects, taking radio time signals, and adjusting the sextant for day-to-day corrections.
This is celestial navigation in its simplest form, presented in a way which even the most amateur navigator can understand and absorb.
- GenresScience
110 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1987
7 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 21, 2020
This was a decent book to learn the basics of celestial navigation. It went into detail on the use of the sextant, which was the most valuable section, as I used the instructions that came with my Mark 3 sextant to get through it. There are also chapters on dead reckoning, the celestial globe and star identification. Other valuable chapters included information on the sight reduction tables and use of the Nautical Almanac. Very dry, but highly instructive and in no way a waste of time and money. I am interested in comparing it to Practical Celestial Navigation, by Susan Peterson Howell.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews