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Dear Robert.

> Does anyone besides me see the irony in all of these discussions about
> electronic plotting, excel spreadsheets and turbo-charged calculators
> with stainless steel exhaust risers against the backdrop of
> traditional celestial navigation?

I do:-)
I only use a little pocket calculator, besides a pencil
and paper when I am on a boat. (Well, I should confess:
I also use electronic watch:-) A chronometer is too expensive,
too fragile and too bulky for the kind of sailing I do.

(If necessary, I can reduce my observations with nothing,
only the Almanac, pencil and paper, the calculator only
helps to save time spent on this routine task, and permits
me to do more observations).

However, for CERTAIN tasks, at home, I can use any high
technology I need. For example, to determine the arc error
of my sextant by multiple star distance measurements,
I use a computer to reduce these distances.
I also use Frank's on-line calculator for speed, when I want
to practice the Lunar distance observation.
(Practice in the Lunar distance REDUCTION is a separate task,
which is much easier for me than accurate measurement
of those distances).

Alex.


> I will admit I own a Celesticomp V and use it on occassion when I
> really need a quick fix, however, I derive immense pleasure from
> actually reducing my sights longhand (notwithstanding I use a
> scientific calculator to do the math), and then plotting the LOPs on a
> good old fashioned plotting sheet; whether it be homemade or
> commercially produced. This is part of the joy of the craft and I find
> it therapeutic and relaxing. Think of sight reduction as foreplay. Ya
> gotta work hard and incrementally in order to get to home base. And
> when you do, what can be more satisfying than a series of tight LOPs
> on a plotting sheet and the knowledge of a job well done?
>
> Give me pencil and paper anytime...and yes, a set of trig and log
> tables.
>
> Robert
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: Guy Schwartz 
>
> Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2006 11:40 pm
>
> Subject: Plotting LOP's
>
> > Has anyone come up with a method of having a computer plot LOP's
> > with Excel or other standard software.
> > I know there are specialized products such as Navigator and Star
> > pilot that will do it.
> > Thanks
> > Guy
>

   

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