The Complete On-Board Celestial Navigator : Includes 2003-2007 Nautical Almanac [Spiral-bound]

George C. Bennett (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071396578 | ISBN-13: 978-0071396578 | Publication Date: November 25, 2002 | Edition: 2

The perfect backup navigation system for the serious cruiser in a GPS era, this all-in-one tool kit supplies everything a celestial navigator needs except the sextant. The Complete On-Board Celestial Navigator replaces $300 worth of guides and almanacs traditionally required by celestial navigators and includes a star finder; a five-year (2003­2007) nautical almanac for determining precise star, sun, moon, or planet locations at the time of sighting; and sight reduction tables for crunching the numbers and producing the fix. Designed with the novice or rusty celestial navigator in mind, it even includes a celestial navigation primer.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"A practical, convenient, and economical solution for the mariner who wants a backup system to GPS that contains all the essential instructions and data."--Foundation for the Art of Navigation

Your All-in-One Navigational Toolkit

The ancient skill of celestial navigation has reliably guided seafarers for centuries and is still a source of pride and respect among mariners. In this era of electronic navigation, it remains the perfect backup system, enabling you to determine your position if the GPS malfunctions or your boat loses electrical power.

Specifically designed for the novice or rusty celestial navigator, The Complete On-Board Celestial Navigator replaces $300 worth of guides and almanacs traditionally required by celestial navigators, and includes a star finder; a five-year nautical almanac (2003 - 2007) for determining precise star, sun, moon, or planet locations at the time of sighting; and sight reduction tables for crunching the numbers and producing a fix anywhere in the world.

"The only complete self-contained work available. When your electronic navigation fails, 'steering by the stars' will guide you safely to your destination."--Sydney Afloat (Australia)

About the Author

Dr. George G. Bennett is the owner and director of CN Systems, which produces navigational calculator and computer software. The former head of the School of Surveying, Faculty of Engineering, at the University of New South Wales, Australia, he holds graduate degrees in surveying and geography. He has written extensively on geodesy, navigation, and surveying in international journals. An elected Fellow of the Institution of Surveyors and the Institute of Navigation, he has served as a visiting scientist at Her Majesty's Nautical Almanac Office at the Royal Observatory. He has sailed in nine Sydney - Hobart races as a navigator and has taught navigation at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 176 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 2 edition (November 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071396578
• ISBN-13: 978-0071396578
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,932,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Sailing > Navigation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you don't know your stars you will! once you buy!, December 28, 2001

By 

"rowanwolfe" (FPO, AE United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete On-Board Celestial Navigator (Spiral-bound)

Even if you new to the stars, you will no longer be in the dark! This book guides you through it all. It lays open allowing you to see what it is you are looking at and doing, great for both the novice & the all knowing. I enjoyed it just on the porch so when I used it underway at sea it was just as wonderful! Very much worth the price this book has it all!

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE book to have onboard for celestial navigation, February 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete On-Board Celestial Navigator (Spiral-bound)

This book has it all, almanac, tables, starfinder, in short, everything need to do sight reductions. A fantastic value !

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a book for a beginner, January 10, 2005

By 

C. Gjersvik "Njardar" (Springfield, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete On-Board Celestial Navigator : Includes 2003-2007 Nautical Almanac (Spiral-bound)

While Mr. Bennett clearly qualifies as as authority in celestial navigation, this book is not well suited for beginners. The narrative is a bit to succint, forcing the reader to try and and "fill in the blanks" in order to understand what the author has stated. Modern publishing makes it easier to present tables and examples with the narrative; however, in this book the tables and examples are at the rear of the book, which makes switching back and forth difficult. The main advantage of this book are the tables. In my opinion this is a good resource book and a celestial navigation reference guide, but not as your first celestial navigation primer.