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Subject: Re: Classification of the methods for clearing the Lunar Distance
From: Fred Hebard (Fred@XXX.XXX)
Date: Thu Apr 10 2003 - 17:10:24 EDT
I'm sending this again because it didn't seem to make it onto the list
archive, which is where I read the list.
I was browsing through the chapter on methods of sight reduction in the
1962 edition of Bowditch, and came across several items of interest
First, in regard to George Huxtable's comment about the poor old
practicing navigators becoming confused, the sheer number of methods of
sight reduction must have been confusing. Numerous analog-type
computers were devised for sight reduction.
Second, in regard to Bruce Stark's method of clearing lunar distances,
Bowditch says haversines were not used in navigation until the turn of
the 20th century, although they had been used previously in astronomy.
Gaussian logarithms for use in navigation were first developed for use
during World War II, but the developer died before a complete method
could be implemented.
I don't believe Bruce Stark would be violating the copyrights of the
Navigation Foundation if he were to outline his method of clearing
lunar distances, only if he were to copy the article published in their
newsletter. This thread motivates me to attempt such an outline, but I
am obligated by the U.S. government at this time of year to go through
a tedious compilation of my income, and sometimes to then pay them
money after all that work!
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