Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-lj6df Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-06T09:00:46.034Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Teaching and Learning Celestial Navigation Using Google Maps

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2017

Tom Bensky*
Affiliation:
(California Polytechnic State University - Physics, San Luis Obispo, California, US)
*

Abstract

We present a method of teaching the basics of celestial navigation, using the Javascript programming interface to Google Maps. This offers the teacher of celestial navigation many highly visual and flexible investigative and presentation options, all using the familiar Google Map system. In this paper, we discuss the programming route to Google Maps, and demonstrate an exercise of correcting the assumed position of a hypothetical lost ship, using sights of the Sun, suitable for classroom use. We also present an analysis of the relationship between the proximity of the assumed to the actual position of the ship, and the outcome of a sight-reduction procedure.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Anderson, E.W. (1952). The Treatment of Navigational Errors. The Journal of Navigation, 31, 103141.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Andrewes, W.J.H. (1996). The Quest for Longitude. The Proceedings of the Longitude Symposium, Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments.Google Scholar
Astronomy and Astrophysics. (2008). ASTR 324. <http://catalog.calpoly.edu/coursesaz/astr/>. Accessed 16 July 2016..+Accessed+16+July+2016.>Google Scholar
Denny, M. (2012). The Science of Navigation. John Hopkins University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dutton, B. (1942). Navigation and Nautical Astronomy. Annapolis, Md., United States Naval Institute.Google Scholar
Google Maps. (2015). Google Maps. <http://maps.google.com>. Accessed 10 September 2015..+Accessed+10+September+2015.>Google Scholar
Karl, J. (2011). Celestial Navigation in the GPS Age. Paradise Cay Publications.Google Scholar
Nautical Almanac. (2015). The Nautical Almanac. <http://thenauticalalmanac.com>. Accessed September 2015..+Accessed+September+2015.>Google Scholar
Navy. (2017). Celestial Navigation Table. <http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/celnavtable.php>. Accessed 7 September 2017..+Accessed+7+September+2017.>Google Scholar
NIMA. (2015). The American Practical Navigator. Paradise Cay Publications. A 2017 update to this book is available by searching for ‘Bowditch’ at <http://www.nga.mil>..>Google Scholar
NOAA. (2015). NOAA Solar Calculator. <http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/grad/solcalc/>. Accessed September 2015..+Accessed+September+2015.>Google Scholar
Prudente, T. (2015). In the era of GPS, Naval Academy revives celestial navigation. Los Angeles Times, 25 October 2015. <http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-celestial-navigation-20151025-story.html>. Retrieved 10 February 2015..+Retrieved+10+February+2015.>Google Scholar
Schlereth, H. (2000). Celestial Navigation in a Nutshell. Sherdian House, Inc.Google Scholar
Sobel, D. (2007). Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time. Walker Books.Google Scholar
Worsley, F.A. (1998). Shackleton's Boat Journey. W. W. Norton & Company.Google Scholar