This program contains official USN training footage previously available only by expensive rental of 16mm film from the U.S. Government. This information provides instruction on how to use the Air Almanac/Sight Reduction Tables for Celestial Navigation with the Moon, Stars and Planets. Part 1: THEORY – Basic concepts: refresher on Latitude, Longitude, GHA, LHA, SHA, Geographical Position, Zenith Distance
Part 2: THE HORIZON SYSTEM – Using a Sextant to measure the altitude of a celestial body. Includes discussion of how the Air Almanac (H.O. 249) can be used to find the relative position of celestial bodies with respect to your own position. Introduction to the Celestial Line of Position
Part 3: THE INTERCEPT METHOD – Easy-to-understand demonstration of what the Celestial Triangle is, plus necessary information to solve it by using the Air Almanac
Part 4: SOLUTION & PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Using concepts from the first 3 parts, and a complete example of solving the celestial triangle, + filling in the HO 249 worksheet through the three stages of Observation, Computation and Plotting.
Extra: "Pathfinders from the Stars," feature film from the Department of Commerce, Coast and Geodetic Survey Division that depicts the history of navigation.
