NavList:

Alexander Wolf, you wrote:
"I see some stars in the list are too dim in comparison to their neighbors, and this is strange."

Yes, navigation star lists tend to have this strange property. The modern nav star list includes a couple of duds, like Zubenelgenubi. That star name is loads of fun to say aloud, and it has the interesting property of being quite close to the ecliptic, but it's not bright. We don't need it. Whenever lists like this are compiled, there's an urge to fill in at least some star in the "blank spots" in the sky. Personally, I'm comfortable skipping right over Libra. Spica and Antares on either side of it are adequate for the navigator's needs, but if we have to pick one in Libra, it might as well be this one. As I implied in my earlier post, I was amused to see that Maskelyne added Zubeneschamali, too. That's doubling-down on the bet! :)

You added:
"I've added this list into Stellarium (Navigational Stars plug-in) - maybe someone want to play with him (available in the latest weekly snapshot already). :)"

Oh, that's fun! I will explore it next week (not this week because I am swamped with navigation workshops and tutorials --this is a very rare condition!). You asked, "what about other sources for a navigation star lists?" Yes, I have compiled an assortment of historical navigation star lists, references by HIP numbers, etc. It's hard to say whether any navigators would get value from such lists, but they certainly add "color" and historical interest. :)

Frank Reed