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Geoffrey:

Yes, there are many ways to "skin the cat", and yes a Prof from MIT(?)
made a long voyage without any instruments or radio beyond compass and
his visual observations of the moving "celestial globe".

But there are exceptions in very skilled hands and mind. The matter
of "setting" objects has been described in several articles over past
years. (references not at hand). The practicality and usefulness is
surely at question.

Remember also that south sea islanders could navigate solely by star
observations overhead, long before westerners brought the art to
finer fruition.

Not to knock your thoughts at all.  I do think that others before us
have pondered and written long before.  :)  It's a matter of being
aware through the literature (which may not be easily available).

As Bowditch preached:  use all available means ....   or something
like that.  

Tony    in San Francisco, CA

ps:  what is "Border Barrels Ltd."?


"Dr. Geoffrey Kolbe" wrote:
>
> As some on this list have pointed out, observation of celestial bodies
> setting, and particularly rising, are plagued with problems.
>
> However, I read somewhere of a yachtsman on a long voyage (may have been
> round-the-world) who observed stars at their zenith. He managed well enough
> to get safely around the Horn!
>
> Others on the list may be able to make more informed comment on this as a
> "no instruments" method of celestial navigation.
>
> Yours aye,
>
> Geoffrey Kolbe.
>
> Dr Geoffrey Kolbe, Border Barrels Ltd., Newcastleton, TD9 0SN, Scotland
> Tel: +44 (0)13873 76253  Fax: +44 (0)13873 76214
>
>                           www.border-barrels.com

   

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