NavList:

Morgan,

There are quite a few ways to do sight reduction (Bowditch lists over 30). You might want to select a sight reduction table to compare to pocket calculator sight reduction. The most popular tabular method is probably Pub 249. Tabular methods generally require selection of an assumed position to get a whole degree of local hour angle (LHA) thus have longer plotted intercepts. A calculator reduction can use any position as an assumed position with the dead reckoning (DR) position being the most used reference position with the benefit of a shorter intercept.  Be sure to discuss the systematic error benefit of the three body star fix with LOPs seperated by 120°of azimuth vs. a two body fix. Another important discussion point would be the difference between marine/aviation and land celestial navigation.

Greg Rudzinski