Simple Celestial: Navigation by the Heavens Made Easy - Paperback

by Chris Kreitlein (Author)

Simple Celestial is an instructional manual on the art of celestial navigation. The manual is clear, succinct and thorough in presenting in a simple style the process of observing the Sun, Moon, planets and stars used in celestial navigation in order to derive a position fix any where in the world. The process of celestial navigation as presented in the manual uses an assumed position to derive an intercept that is the basis for a line of position from the heavenly body. Additionally, the manual explains the alternate method of observing the Sun at local apparent noon for a position fix. Using either method and with the appropriate supporting tools, the student will find the manual an excellent guide in completing the sight reduction form to arrive at a solution. The manual deliberately relegates theory to a small chapter in the back, concentrating rather on the practical aspects of celestial navigation.

Author Biography

The author is a retired naval officer with extensive navigational experience both in ships and aircraft. He has taught celestial navigation in college, to yachting organizations, at boat show seminars as well as at sea during an Atlantic crossing on a sailboat. He resides in Pensacola, Florida and sails his Cape Dory 30 cutter sailboat in the Gulf of Mexico.