The New and Improved Celestial Navigation Poll

[deckofficer]

Pinwheel, when you shoot 6 or 7 stars and all your LOP's when drawn form a pinwheel with all LOP's crossing at the same point.

[msponer]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Pinwheel, when you shoot 6 or 7 stars and all your LOP's when drawn form a pinwheel with all LOP's crossing at the same point.

Oh, wow. I thought I was being pretty cool when I did three star shots to make the little triangle.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

If anyone wants to learn celestial navigation, here's a great (free) pdf. "Celestial Navigation in a Teacup".

http://mysite.verizon.net/milkyway99...tionTeacup.pdf

Very cool...I was looking for something like this a month ago. Do you really need all that paper though? I thought there was some sort of electronic hand held tables.

[David M]

I think the idea of celestial is that you are not reliant on any sort of electronics. You never really know what a lightning strike might take out.

[bobconnie]

I use it because it makes me feel good to be able to go where I wish with out the aid of electronics !!Now I have a simple GPS, and Connie has her puter with the Capt program and a good Puck and I do consult them daily, but only to ck my figures!! Maybe you guys with your fancy gear think we are dumb to do this ! But as others have said we WILL get home if everything else fails!! Just my 2 cents Bob and Connie

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Learned, only practice to keep the skills up.

All the rest of the navigation is manual but I think you'd be silly to not make use of a GPS receiver for fixes, sog, and cog. I think it's also silly to head offshore and be one lightning bolt away from figuring out the importance of celestial navigation. Being able to identify the planets, stars, and constellations is pretty cool beyond the navigational benefit.

Pretty much sums up my point of view on the subject.

[rubyjean]

I too practice, never Know when you might need it. Learned in 1973, hard to forget, but easy to get rusty at. Mine is a Saura Keiki Seisakusho, model # SM2700.

Michael

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by rubyjean

I too practice, never Know when you might need it. Learned in 1973, hard to forget, but easy to get rusty at. Mine is a Saura Keiki Seisakusho, model # SM2700.

Mine is Garmin, 12 channel model

ciao!
Nick.

[125Miles]

I think celestial navigation is 20th century and beyond. Its only good for hobby this days. If you worried about lightning strike don't forget to put your electronic/quartz watch to the same metal box where you keep your spare GPS. Without precise time dead reckoning is more accurate than sextant. I still use scythe once in awhile to mow my lawn, great way to strike a conversation with bystanders

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by 125Miles

I think celestial navigation is 20th century and beyond. Its only good for hobby this days. If you worried about lightning strike don't forget to put your electronic/quartz watch to the same metal box where you keep your spare GPS. Without precise time dead reckoning is more accurate than sextant. I still use scythe once in awhile to mow my lawn, great way to strike a conversation with bystanders

Its good to see this poll has struck a chord, bringing some long time CF members that are low posters out of the wood work. On another note, even though I had to pass code at 13wpm, I'm glad they dropped that requirement from the HAM license. I think HAM radio would have died had they kept that code test. I also had to learn flashing light for my unlimited, and since there is no sound, it was hard for me.

[Astrid]

I learned celestial navigation on a long voyage with my father and brother about 1989. I currently have a Freiberger drum sextant from 1979 and a C. Plath from 1940. The latter was my father's and I have no idea where he got it, but both have been checked and certified.

I should add that I am a firm believer in electronic navigational aids. However, for one reason or another, they might not be available and it is comfortable knowing I have a centuries old system I can fall back on (besides the intellectual satisfaction of practicing it).

[deckofficer]

Astrid,

In your mountainous coastal area that you hang your hat, do you have a clear view of the horizon?

[hummingway]

Plan to learn, on the "to do list"

It's been on the list for three years and no progress, however, I do feel like I'd like to. It's of little value where I usually sail but that may not be where I always sail and it strikes me as something that would be nice to know.

[rubyjean]

Originally Posted by hummingway

Plan to learn, on the "to do list"

It's been on the list for three years and no progress, however, I do feel like I'd like to. It's of little value where I usually sail but that may not be where I always sail and it strikes me as something that would be nice to know.

To live is through education, we all learn something new everyday we're here on this earth. Besides what else is there to do, besides drinking rum.

michael..

[rubyjean]

Originally Posted by 125Miles

I think celestial navigation is 20th century and beyond. Its only good for hobby this days. If you worried about lightning strike don't forget to put your electronic/quartz watch to the same metal box where you keep your spare GPS. Without precise time dead reckoning is more accurate than sextant. I still use scythe once in awhile to mow my lawn, great way to strike a conversation with bystanders

You don't have to have a watch.{Columbus, Magellean,& many others didn't have one. You don't need a time piece to find Latitude. Just a though...Michael..