Celestial Navigation (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Celestial navigation is very similar to coastal navigation..." (more)
Key Phrases: sight reduction method, alt corr, obs alt, Dec Inc, North Pole, Orion's Belt (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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. .

About the Author

Jeff Toghill is a graduate of the School of Navigation, Southampton University. He has more than thirty-five years of practical experience in all types of small craft and is the author of many books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 110 pages
• Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co. (January 17, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393302946
• ISBN-13: 978-0393302943
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,176,207 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Opaque, March 20, 2007

By	David Steensma - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book, just over 100 pages long, is short on theory and focuses instead on the practical aspects of celestial navigation. There is nothing wrong with this approach. Unfortunately, the introduction of concepts without any explanation of their importance, or how they fit together, leaves the reader with little more than a list of steps to go through to calculate a position, and no clear understanding of when to apply which corrections or why. Explanations are given short shrift, and the reader is left muddled about what he or she is actually doing with all of the additions and subtractions. There are better choices out there for an introductory book on celestial navigation.