Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Celestial Navigation for the Recreational
Practitioner: Adapting an Old Art for
Today's Cruisers
There are few things quite as satisfying as fixing your position by measuring the altitude of
a few heavenly bodies. With no other landmarks around, stars and planets help to put a face
on an otherwise featureless expanse of ocean - they become our friends at sea during the
night. Even though there's no longer a practical need to use celestial navigation in the age
of GPS, it seems a good way to stay in touch with our “friends.”
For the recreational navigator, the fun and beauty of celestial navigation often becomes ob-
scured by a maze of numbers and a lack of confidence. In this chapter, we introduce prag-
matic tweaks to the traditional way in which celestial navigation is taught, putting the focus
back on those friendly stars and our sextant. Why not get more fun and insight out of prac-
ticing celestial navigation on board while mastering an old art with confidence?
The approach we outline below can be applied to any celestial sight. It's particularly useful
for fixing your position by observing multiple stars or planets at twilight. While the good
old sun sight certainly has its value, there's a special reward in the instant gratification of
finding your position without the uncertainties of a running fix.
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