NavList:

Alex
 
"I wonder how many of the list participant are also into
astronomy? In addition was it astronomy that got you
interested in Cel Nav or was it Cel nav that got you
interested in astronomy?"

As a professional Navigator, I can tell you that even with the state of the are navigation systems out there, including GPS, DGPS, etc, Celestial Navigation is still conducted.  I, as a Naval Officer, believe strongly it ensuring that junior officers that I train and work with maintain the skill sets requird to conduct celestial navigation.  Not only is it still being trained in the Canadian Navy and Royal Navy, but many other worldwide navies.  Even with the exponential rise is electornic navigational systems, electronic systems can, and will inevitably fail.  Having backup systems works...but they can and will fail too.  Electronics will improve, but they are still falliable.  Stars will always be in the Heavans, and hopefully mariners will always be able to navigate by them.  As for NAVIGATION-L, I am astonished to see the number of people out there that are professional mariners that have such a huge interest in Celestial Navigation.  I applaud you.

"A ship in Harbour is safe, but that's not what ship's are for." - Arabian Proverb

 

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Peter I. MacNeil
Lieutenant (N)
Fleet Navigating Officer Course
Serial 0601
NOTC VENTURE

"There can be only one!"