Celestial Navigation: The Minimal Manual

By Bruce Steely

Enjoy learning the art of celestial navigation without delving too deeply into esoteric topics. A gentle introduction for beginners, but with valuable insights for more seasoned practitioners. Covers everything needed to understand the core concepts of celestial navigation and the basic procedures for plotting a position. Includes 3D color visual aids and step-by-step explanations of each type of sight reduction using the commonly used nautical almanac and Pub. HO 249 sight reduction tables. Can also be used as a quick reference with concise, color-coded instructions. This is the book used in John Kretschmer's celestial navigation course.

Covers:

Greenwich hour angle, declination, local hour angle, altitude, zenith distance and azimuthIntercept Method and assumed positionGeographical position, circles of equal altitude, lines of position, a-valueHow to use a Nautical Almanac and Sight Reduction TablesAngle and time math instructionCelestial and navigational coordinate systemsSextants and how to time a sightDetailed, step-by-step instructions for deriving sight reductionsEstimating latitude and longitude with Noon sightsExamples of sight reductions of the Sun, Moon, planets and starsHow to plot lines of position, fixes and running fixesIncludes easy-to-use sight reduction forms designed for novicesForms for noon sight, sight reduction, sight planning, and meridian passage of the SunInstructions for using the Weems and Plath Star Finder 2102-d

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B08BV6Q6D1
• ISBN13: 9798648655072
• Release Date: June 2020
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.84 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.5" x 11.0"