NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
From: Samuel L
Date: 2014 Sep 18, 04:10 -0700
Brad,
As time goes by in my study of this art and science the process is becoming much easier. An acronym I came up with S.I.M.P.L.E applies.
Simple Instruction Makes People Learn Easier
Instead of taking up 9 pages to do a Sun sight reduction I can now do 6 reductions on 1 page. The steps to add or subtract Degrees, Minutes and Seconds, now that I know how to do it, are extremely easy. The current biggest problem I have is in working with an AH when the local time is around 4 or 5 PM. I read Peary's comments on doing a Sun sight using an AH when headed for the North Pole. His shots were so difficult. He used Mercury. I'm using used Diesel motor oil. Mercury will reflect nicely but oil won't when the sun's angle is low- double images appear.
As mentioned long ago, I'd like to be able to do a successful sight reduction and plot when I'm extremely tired and uncomfortable. It's good training for an ocean crossing.
Thanks,
Sam