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Hello everyone.
It's me again.
Now that I have made a lasting impression, (not a good one), I will ask
the mail lists pardon for sending an incomplete message. You would think I
would know the difference between SAVE and SEND!!

Now for my thoughts.

Being new to celestial navigation, I have been searching for the best
approach to get involved with and learn the art and science of celestial
navigation and expand my very basic knowledge of piloting. Much can be
learned without any expense other than ones time. Too often I have seen (in
astronomy) individuals jump to buy the equipment without the basic
knowledge of what the subject requires. I would guess that 30 to 40 % of all
telescopes (and sextants) purchased are never used more than a few
months before they are put in a closet and forgotten. It is wise to do some
homework first to make sure you are genuinely interested in the total subject
prior to spending your hard earned money for a beautiful, well made, marine
instrument which one day you'll learn to use and maybe figure out what you
really can do with it! Of course; it always looks impressive every time you
pull it from the closet to admire. With the background you gain, you will be in
a better, more knowledgable position to intelligently choose the proper path
to learn and the right equipment for you.

As with astronomy, celestial navigation appears to be a learning intensive
activity. This separates it from most others. More than likely, once one
learns the fundamentals and the mechanics of taking a sighting and doing
the reduction, one must move on to other aspects of navigation / piloting or
interest will wane. I am finding the mailing list an excellent tool which is
already broadening my horizons and expanding my knowledge. My personal
thanks to the group.

The newcomer to celestial navigation could learn much without ever touching
a sextant. A recommendation I make for astronomy is to get a good star
chart and binoculars and learn the evening sky. The constellations,  the
basic navigation stars, and learning how the sky "works" could keep one
busy for a few weeks and lays an all important foundation for everything to
follow. A cheap scientific calculator or a PC should do not only for sight
reductions and other calculations but also provide the almanac data required.
As a long term user of MICA, I am interested to try ICE. I just downloaded it.
With regard to books, I still like " American Practical Navigator" by Bowditch.
It deals with the" big picture"; astronomy, celestial navigation, piloting, and
so much more!. At ~$23 for the hardcopy book, its a great deal and an
example of your tax dollars at work. I believe it is a must for all. A current
Nautical Almanac is also a good addition. I like a hardcopy to refer to.

With regard to sextants, I took the view that Dan stated. I felt a cheap
sextant was worthy of a trip in my boat and a good investment for myself and
my family. The relatives, kids and nephews and their friends can use it
without me worrying about someone dropping it (too  much) and they might
learn something to boot. Hands on experience is important for most to
provide some excitement initially and to keep the interest level up. If I get a
decent size boat in the future, it will become my backup. For now I'll keep
my eyes open for a top quality,used sextant for my exclusive use. There is
plenty for me to learn from the practical perspective with the cheap one. I
wouldn't think about a nav computer for now. There are many ways to do
sight reductions. I want to try them the hard way first, thats how I learn. Then
 I'll use a PC and EXCEL or MATHCAD and my HP-15 programable
calculator. In my opinion, obtaining proficiency with the tables is critical as
that skill becomes the non-electronic backup method. I just don't relish the
ideal of all the books. Can someone give me some input on the abridged
sight reduction tables I have heard of but have not seen to date. They might
be a better option.

The thoughts above are mine. Any subject has several levels, ex. practical vs
academic vs mathematical  ect.  All are important and each appeals to one
according to ones individual preferences.  That is the beauty of the subject!

Also, Is there an archive of the mail list? I'm sure I could learn a lot from
reading the old mail.

Finally, I know I can hop on board at any time, but I'm here to learn and I can
think of no better way than to "take it from the top" wrt Silicon Sea. One
question ?? Leg 36 appears to be missing from the archive zip file. Can
someone provide it?


Regards and again apologies.
Tony Cappiello
ICECAP  ,Little Egg Harbor, NJ

   

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