NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: Why is a sextant like it is?
From: Bill B
Date: 2004 Nov 18, 23:58 -0500
From: Bill B
Date: 2004 Nov 18, 23:58 -0500
Alex asked: > Alex asked- Why do we still use this terrible Babylonian ... system > for measuring angles? George replied: > > I agree, that it's terrible. I'm neither an astronomer, surveyor, or mathematician. Out of curiosity I ask, what alternative do you suggest, either in existence or hypothetically? I would ask you to bias the answer toward cel-nav that could be done with tables or pencil & paper. No calculator or computer on board. In fairness to the you and the spirit of the list, any other form of non-electronic navigation you may suggest is fair game. Not a challenge, I am truly curious. Bill
