NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
From: Andrew Bauer
Date: 2023 May 31, 06:36 -0700
I received feedback from a user regaring my Lunar Distance tables. I pick suitable objects to measure against based on those with the largest hourly Lunar Distance delta, i.e. if one doesn't move much within an hour, the precision of the reading is poor. Here's his feedback:
I had a plan giving a try to your lunar daily pages, and downloaded the 2023 volume.
I was a bit shocked, that there are no Sun-Moon LDs for 26th May to 29th May.
Since the Sun is the most accurate body for making lunar observations, it always should be listed when it is in the range approx 40°- 120°. Especially around 90° is very important (this month 27th-28th), because the mathematical errors in the lunar clearing process(es) are at their minimum.
Sun is the primary body, it should be always listed.
I would like to know if he is right. Did the original LD tables always include the Sun when it is within roughly 40° to 120° range? And is this the best practise today?
As contextual information I include here below my LD tables and charts from 25th to 30th May 2023. You notice that the Sun is only included on 25th May (I try to fit as many objects as possible within a fixed span of 190° SHA on my chart ... it would hardly be readable if it was wider. With 200% zoom factor it's quite appealing.)
Do add any other pertinent feedback if you spot something relevant. All responses kindly appreciated! Andrew