Celestial Navigation: A Complete Home Study Course, Second Edition

Having done a proper RYA course on this subject twice in the last 15 years this was the first time that I really began to understand what the subject was about rather than simply complete a course. The workbook is designed to inspire you to explore the reasons why something is the way it is rather than simply a descriptive definition of the terms and theory involved. I now understand not just how to use the Nautical Almanac but how it is constructed so that I can double check its figures without assuming they must be correct because its an official publication. The joy in realising that you do understand not just the concepts or the theory but how to apply that knowledge (which will always be in your head rather than a PC) in a vast variety of circumstances really makes you appreciate the wonderful clockwork of the heavens above but also the sheer mastery that our ancient mariners had when they used this knowledge in the confidence that they could safely navigate the oceans around them. In short BUY this book and master this "black" art for ever. One day your GPS will die : the knowledge and the confidence gained by completing this workbook will not.ThanksPeter B.

The book is a brilliant study of celestial navigation techniques, the problem is that when you buy it in the UK you do not get the free computer version of the book along with your purchase, there are a few other Starpath goodies that you do not qualify for also. But all in alll a great book at a great price.

Decided I wanted to learn Celestial Navigation so got this book. I have found it very well laid out and easy to follow. It has been done so that you can learn the components and do the navigation without having to understand much about what is behind it, but goes into more depth if you want to. Exercises are good. I would recommend this book.

I have tried a few cel nav books, this one starts at the very basics of adding degrees and minutes .... sounds easy but can catch you out.So far so good I’m about 1/3 rd of the way through it. I’m still enjoying reading it. You also get to know their web site and down load well worth the money it’s self.

Struggling a bit with this but I think that’s coz it’s a complicated topic. Also the illustration of a sextant looks different from my sextant ( eg mine doesn’t have a light.)The exercises are good but I do find it irritating when it frequently says ‘this is easy’. If that was the case I wouldn’t need the book!

So far so good, I'm understanding how the course will be structured. Make sure you start from the introduction and avoid the temptation to jump straight in. Well written and its simple structure should lead me through, hopefully

Excellent book for teaching yourself Astro nav.

Great book and received in time.

This is a fantastic book, but be prepared for some deep study - and that's my kind of study! This is definitely a classroom-style textbook, and I can imagine being tutored along through the topics with an instructor along with fellow students. When you read thru each chapter and complete any of the study tests you may find therein, don't simply chalk the lesson up and move on to the next. Every chapter is a treasure trove of concepts, terminology, and procedures that you'll use in the future should you rely on the never-failing celestial version of GPS. Along with a basic overview in the choice and use of a sextant, Burch provides numerous work sheets for use after taking your sextant sights. He includes excerpts from Bowditch and several annual Nautical Almanac charts, which for the most part allows you to peer into the morass of trigonometry required for measuring and plotting the spherical triangles of celesital navigation. It's a fascinating subject, one which merits deep study with this textbook.I HIGHLY recommend this book with a reminder: This is not a simple, easy read. You'll find yourself thumbing back and forth through the pages, studying hard, testing yourself, copying and filling out forms, and leaving sticky notes that hang outside the pages for future reference. But when you're finished with it, you'll sure know celestial navigation.

Excelente, un maravilloso libro, práctico, y súper útil. El uso del sextante Mark 3 es suficiente. Excelent. a wonderful book, practical, and amazingly useful. Usage of the Mark 3 sextant is enough.

An excellent home study course with which you can learn celestial navigation in a few days. The book has form templates for sight reductions. A complete resource.

El mejor libro para iniciarse o repasar el uso del sextante, muy detallado y con ejemplos para estrellas, planetas, sol...Calidad de impresión bastante mejorable.

David Burch ist mir schon lange ein Begriff durch sein wunderbares Buch KAYAK NAVIGATION. Bin jetzt mitten drin in CELESTIAL NAVIGATION. Klare Sprache, gute Erklärungen. In vielen kleinen Schritten, angereichert mit Kontrollübungen und Wiederholungen, fasst man entspannt Fuß in der von vielen gefürchteten und gemiedenen Materie.