Celestial Navigation in a Nutshell (Seafarer Books)

Despite the proliferation of electronic navigational devices, celestial navigation remains an essential tool for those who do not wish to be caught short when modern technology fails. In this easy-to-use guide, Hewitt Schlereth explains clearly and concisely how to navigate any stretch of sea using only a handheld sextant, a watch, a plotting sheet and a copy of the Nautical Almanac. The basic process is simple: take a sight with a sextant, establish a secondary reference or benchmark sight, compare the two, and plot the results of the comparison on a chart.

Celestial Navigation in a Nutshell demonstrates how to take sights by the sun, moon, stars and planets, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The reader is taken carefully through several examples and situational illustrations, making this a most effective self-teaching guide. Common errors are reviewed and several tips on how to improve accuracy are given.

Hewitt Schlereth is an accomplished sailor and the author of several books on navigation, including Commonsense Coastal Navigation and Latitude and Longitude by Noon Sight. He is one of the foremost American authorities on celestial navigation.