Celestial Navigation Course
Certification: ASA 107
Note: ASA 117 - An abbreviated 1 day Celestial Navigation Endorsement course is also offered. The 117 level does meet the prerequisite requirement for Offshore Passage Making (ASA 108).
Offered from our Jamestown, Rhode Island and Tortola, BVI locations
Master the ancient art of open ocean position fixing using a sextant and timepiece. You will be able to apply your knowledge of sight reduction Methodology to reduce a sextant sight to a plotted line of positioning using any celestial body found in the Nautical Almanac.
Syllabus
6 day course
Instructor: Norman Martin
Textbook: Starpath Celestial Navigation by David Burch
Course Structure:
6 day course; combination of indoor and outdoor classroom
Tuition: $1895pp; includes all course materials
Class size: class capped at 8
Prerequisite: None
Day 1:
Time: 0900 – 1600
Format: Classroom
I. Student-Instructor Introduction
II. Objectives of Course
III. Tools Needed for Celestial Navigation
IV. The Earth and its Coordinates
V. The Heavens and its Coordinates
VI. The History of Celestial Navigation
VII. The Sextant
VIII. The Nautical Almanac
IX. Time
X. Homework Assignment
* In preparation for the Day 1, please read Chapters 1-2
Day 2:
Time: 0900 – 1600
Format: Classroom
I. Review Homework Assignment
II. The Noon Sight for Latitude
III. Position Lines and Plotting
IV. Sun Sights
V. Homework Assignment
Day 3:
Time: 0900 – 1600
Format: Classroom
I. Review Homework Assignment
II. Running Fixes (Sun-Run-Sun)
III. Sight Reduction Tables
VI. Homework Assignment
Day 4:
Time: 0900 – 1600
Format: Classroom
I. Review Homework Assignment
II. Outside of Classroom: Sextant Adjustment and Taking a Noon Sight
III. Outside of Classroom: Sun Sights
IV. The Stars
V. Using the Pub. 249 Vol.1 and the Starfinder
VI. The Planets
VII. Homework Assignment
Day 5:
Time: 1500 – 2200
Format: Classroom
I. Review Homework Assignment
II. The Moon
III. Polaris, the Pole Star
IV. Sight Reduction Form 104 Review of Differences
V. A Day’s Work of Celestial Navigation at Sea
VI. Outside of Classroom: Star Sights
VII. Outside of Classroom: Star Identification
VIII. Conclusion
Day 6:
Time: 0900 – 1400
Format: Classroom
I. Administer US Sailing Celestial Navigation examination to students
II. Instructor grades exam
III. Review exam results with students
IV. Conclusion