In search for celestial navigation information

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Feb 27, 2004
61
Hunter 23 Beaver Lake, Nebraska
I am the proud owner of a previously enjoyed Davis Mark 25 sextant that did not come with any books. I understand the basics of it’s operations, but have not a clew of what to do with the readings I get. Can anyone recommend a good book on celestial navigation? I’m not so much interested in all of the theories and technology as I am the mechanics. I did a web search and found that there are literally thousands of books on this subject. Thanks all for your help. Bob Noble S/V I Miss Lisa
 
Jun 7, 2004
91
Hunter 34 Selby Bay
Check your local library

Mine has at least three books on the subject. One is very basic, the next is more detailed, and the third is very detailed and complicated. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
 
Jun 21, 2004
129
- - Westbrook, CT
Lots online

If you read Dr. Umland's site you won't need to buy a book. It's very complete, and a good place to start. Sorry, but there's no "cookbook" approach to CN, you'll be forced to learn a little bit about astronomy and the celestial space. http://home.t-online.de/home/h.umland/page2.htm Also, the "CN Practice" website is just an excellent resource. I especially like the examples from Ed Falk since they use the sight reduction tables instead of a scientific calculator. I think it's pretty silly to say you're going to learn CN because electronic gizmos are unreliable, then rely on a calculator or laptop program to do your sight reductions :) Pencil and paper, chart and protractor. http://www.celestialnavigation.net/practice.html If you're going to buy stuff, buy these things... 1. Nautical Almanac. There's one online, but it's incomplete, just buy one. 2. A book of sight reduction tables, called "HO 229". There are several volumes, buy the one for the lattitude where you'll be practicing. Or the S-Table booklet (see below). 3. A pad of chart worksheets. You can order them from West Marine. 4. A protractor, or a divider and parallel rules. OR, instead of HO229, you might consider the "S-Table" method, which is much more concise (and mechanical). You can order the S-Table book from the Weems and Plath website, I think. I was just working out a sight of Arcturus with the S Table last night, seems to work great. Good luck, it can be a fun hobby. I think it's hard to teach yourself, but I did it. You would certainly get faster results if you took a course. Paul sv Escape Artist h336
 

p323ms

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May 24, 2004
341
Pearson 323 panama city
Programable calculator

At one time there were programs available that would do all of the math/reduction etc. I believe that all you had to do is fill in the date-time angles etc and it gave a line of position. As cheap as calculators have become it might be cheaper than buying tables and almanacs. With the advent of cheap GPS the calculator idea quickly faded away.
 

p323ms

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May 24, 2004
341
Pearson 323 panama city
Get it at Wal-mart

I searched with Yahoo and wal-mart has a book for under $10.00 that supposedly teaches easy CN with or without a calculator. "Celestial Naviagation Made Easy" Key words: calculator celestial navigation
 
F

FrankR

You can also download the manual from them

http://www.davisnet.com/product_documents/marine/manuals/mark25.pdf It will allow you to do adjustments to it and allow you to align it.
 
D

Droop

Join the coast guard auc

they offer this and many other class for free to members!
 
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