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Dear Robin

That is an interesting question too Robin, what statisticians call
"optimal design of experiments", but it was not what I had in mind. I
was thinking of the empirical distribution of azimuths in fixes
actually used, say if you look back through a set of plotting sheets
for a typical voyage,  or a model for that based on a preference for a
bias towards an equilateral triangle mitigated by the distribution of
usable bodies at twilight. There are plenty of navigational stars if
you have  a clear night and can identify them, but one might choose
the moon and a planet if those are at a suitable azimuth and altitude.
There will also be plenty of running fixes using sun sights too. I
should have done this systematically from "Hawaii by Sextant", but at
a cursory glance I see quite a few obtuse triangles there.

Bill

On Thu, 21 Mar 2019 at 20:18, Robin Stuart  wrote:
>
> Bill,
>
>     If I understand you correctly you are seeking a figure of merit to 
decide which set of 3 available bodies is best to use for a fix. This came up 
recently and I refer you to my suggestion made here,
>
> Regards,
>
> Robin
>
> 

   

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