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I often use precalculated altitudes to find a body.  I just sweep the
horizon in the approximate azimuth.  I do use a handbearing compass to
orient myself, I think that your Silva should be just as precise in this
situation, given that I usually only need to be within about 5-10 degrees.
It's not likely that I find two magnitude 2-3 bodies at the same altitude
within a band that narrow, even given the 5 degree altitude error range
using 2102-D.

Jim Thompson
www.jimthompson.net
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: T. Shanklin
> What is the best way to find an approximate bearing on a celestial body or
> conversely, to find a celestial body using a bearing?  I've been doing it
> lately by simply facing forward in the direction of the sun/planet/moon
> after shooting a sextant sight and trying to be accurate using my trusty
> Silva hiking compass with sighting mirror.  This has worked well
> in the past
> for getting rough estimates which I use as a check on my
> calculated azimuth.
>   But I just recently purchased a Starfinder 2102-D and find that I might
> need a more accurate way to find a bearing in help locating the desired
> star.  I'm thinking I'll just stand facing the general direction with the
> sextant set for the proper altitude of the body (according to 2102-D) and
> start scanning.

   

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