NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: Visibility at rising and setting
From: Chuck Taylor
Date: 2000 Apr 25, 10:47 AM
From: Chuck Taylor
Date: 2000 Apr 25, 10:47 AM
On Tue, 25 Apr 2000, George Huxtable raised the topic of celestial observations of the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets as they rise or set. Certainly one could argue that such sights are less than ideal. I think it is appropriate, however, to consider them in the context of "Lifeboat Navigation" or "Emergency Navigation." I don't think anyone would claim that such sights are superior to ordinary sextant sights, but in extraordinary circumstances when a sextant is not available, they could be quite useful. I remember many a clear night horizon in the western Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea from my U.S. Navy days. I agree with George that lack of a clear horizon could be a problem in the northern oceans. ---------------- Chuck Taylor SEASCAPE GB 32-2 Everett, WA, USA
