As an offshore sailor I have always been attracted to Celestial Navigation. Developing these navigation skills seem to link us and admire the great navigators of the past. However, few of us have the time to become experts in the theory behind it (navigational astronomy, spherical trigonometry, instruments, time, almanacs, etc.) and what we really look for is to be out there in the open ocean and be able to obtain reliable fixes. Furthermore, developing the skills for sight reduction involves the understanding of not so easy to grasp concepts, and lots of practice to avoid errors in the multiple steps that are involved in the process. Therefore, we need a book that provides us with only the necessary theory to have a good foundation and a simple but detailed description of the processes involved in sight reduction. I have several books on Celestial Navigation but not one of them achieve these objectives as well as this concise book written by Mary Blewitt, why?
First, the author no doubt placed immense effort in choosing the content: A section on theory and a section of practice. On theory, no relevant concept was left out, no excess of words, only an orderly explanation of the fundamental concepts necessary for sight reduction. On the practice section, the author smoothly guides us through the process of sight reduction on each type of celestial body (sun, moon, planets, stars) and obtaining fixes with examples for each.
Second, Celestial Navigation proficiency is easily lost if it isn't practiced constantly. Since most of us have other professions, from time to time we need to come back to our book and review the concepts and procedures. I don't want to return to pages and pages of non essential information, this is also why this book is a jewel, as I come back to refresh my skills I can do it in a couple of hours reviewing Blewitt.
Finally, I can't stress enough the importance of practice to obtain reliable fixes. Therefore, we need a book that provides us with lots of exercises and I find that the book "100 problems on Celestial Navigation" by Leonard Gray is a great complement to Blewitt.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
There is a newer edition of this item:
Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen: 13th edition
$15.00
(93)
Only 7 left in stock (more on the way).
$15.00
(93)
Only 7 left in stock (more on the way).
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
This item: Celestial Navigation for Yachtsmen
$13.66
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Sep 18
Only 3 left in stock - order soon.
+
$14.09
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Sep 18
Only 13 left in stock (more on the way).
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
A concise primer on celestial navigation
Reviewed in Canada on September 29, 2022
Amazon Customer
Very informative but complicated.
Reviewed in Canada on February 12, 2018