This course requires Navigation I
Even in the age of electronics and global communication, Celestial navigation remains one of the most fundamentally useful and respected skills a sailor can possess. This course is taught by Doug MacPherson who originally learned it as a deck officer in the United States Navy. This course is designed to teach members to find their position anywhere on the globe using only Polaris and the Sun.
On the first evening, students will work through determining their location using sights taken from Polaris. On the following day, after calculating Local Apparent Noon, the class will again determine their locations by taking ‘sights’ on the sun.
Successful completion prepares you to:
- Confidently use celestial navigation tools and publications.
- Take sights of celestial bodies
- Fix your location using the sun and the North Star
TOPICS COVERED
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Using a sextant
The main tool for celestial Navigation.
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Understanding Celestial Coordinates
Similar to latitude and longitude on the map.
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Universal Time and Local Apparent Noon
Time zones are cheating! Learn to predict the solar time.
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Locating and Sighting the Sun and Polaris
Learn to calculate the position of heavenly bodies.
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Using Nautical Tables to determine Location
Much of the footwork is already done for us! Learn where to look for help with calculations.