The Star Finder Book: A Complete Guide to the Many Uses of the 2102-D Star Finder

This book turns the 2102-D Star Finder into a hand-held planetarium, which will become your most important tool for star ID and for planning star and planet sights. It also includes many unique practical tables not found elsewhere, such as how to tell the best use of the moon from its age, how to compare brightness of stars and planets in an easy way, which stars are reddish, and more.

Includes a general discussion of choosing and optimizing star-planet sights and how to optimize sun-moon fixes during the day, along with general tips on practical celestial navigation. Plus how to use the Star Finder as a solar compass if your magnetic compass should fail.

Extensive realistic examples worked out in full numerical detail. This is definitely a specialized book. But it will certainly tell you all you ever wanted to know about the Star Finder -- and probably more! -- but it is organized in a way that is easy to use to find what you need.

We prepared this book in about 1984 when we learned that nearly every yacht gone ocean voyaging carried a Star Finder with it, but that barely anyone ever used it to any practical value. This book will change that situation for those who take the time to read through it.

Computer programs and smart phone apps can do a lot these days to help with star ID, but few are set up to do this job as well as you can do it yourself with the 2102-D Star Finder.

1100445341
The Star Finder Book: A Complete Guide to the Many Uses of the 2102-D Star Finder

This book turns the 2102-D Star Finder into a hand-held planetarium, which will become your most important tool for star ID and for planning star and planet sights. It also includes many unique practical tables not found elsewhere, such as how to tell the best use of the moon from its age, how to compare brightness of stars and planets in an easy way, which stars are reddish, and more.

Includes a general discussion of choosing and optimizing star-planet sights and how to optimize sun-moon fixes during the day, along with general tips on practical celestial navigation. Plus how to use the Star Finder as a solar compass if your magnetic compass should fail.

Extensive realistic examples worked out in full numerical detail. This is definitely a specialized book. But it will certainly tell you all you ever wanted to know about the Star Finder -- and probably more! -- but it is organized in a way that is easy to use to find what you need.

We prepared this book in about 1984 when we learned that nearly every yacht gone ocean voyaging carried a Star Finder with it, but that barely anyone ever used it to any practical value. This book will change that situation for those who take the time to read through it.

Computer programs and smart phone apps can do a lot these days to help with star ID, but few are set up to do this job as well as you can do it yourself with the 2102-D Star Finder.

19.95 In Stock
The Star Finder Book: A Complete Guide to the Many Uses of the 2102-D Star Finder

The Star Finder Book: A Complete Guide to the Many Uses of the 2102-D Star Finder

The Star Finder Book: A Complete Guide to the Many Uses of the 2102-D Star Finder

The Star Finder Book: A Complete Guide to the Many Uses of the 2102-D Star Finder

Paperback(3rd ed.)

$19.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
  • PICK UP IN STORE
    Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Related collections and offers


Overview

This book turns the 2102-D Star Finder into a hand-held planetarium, which will become your most important tool for star ID and for planning star and planet sights. It also includes many unique practical tables not found elsewhere, such as how to tell the best use of the moon from its age, how to compare brightness of stars and planets in an easy way, which stars are reddish, and more.

Includes a general discussion of choosing and optimizing star-planet sights and how to optimize sun-moon fixes during the day, along with general tips on practical celestial navigation. Plus how to use the Star Finder as a solar compass if your magnetic compass should fail.

Extensive realistic examples worked out in full numerical detail. This is definitely a specialized book. But it will certainly tell you all you ever wanted to know about the Star Finder -- and probably more! -- but it is organized in a way that is easy to use to find what you need.

We prepared this book in about 1984 when we learned that nearly every yacht gone ocean voyaging carried a Star Finder with it, but that barely anyone ever used it to any practical value. This book will change that situation for those who take the time to read through it.

Computer programs and smart phone apps can do a lot these days to help with star ID, but few are set up to do this job as well as you can do it yourself with the 2102-D Star Finder.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780914025634
Publisher: Starpath Publications
Publication date: 08/30/2019
Edition description: 3rd ed.
Pages: 76
Product dimensions: 7.50(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.16(d)

Table of Contents

PREFACE iii

LIST OF TABLES AND EXAMPLES vi

Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION 1

Chapter 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE 2102-D STAR FINDER 3

2.1 The Original Navy Star Finder 7

2.2 British Star Finder, NP323 7

Chapter 3. BACKGROUND 8

3.1 Terminology and Celestial Motions 8

3.2 Brightness and Color of Stars and Planets 11

3.3 Tips on Planet Identification 15

3.4 Use of Moon and Planets 16

3.5 Time and Time Keeping in Navigation 18

Chapter 4. APPLICATION I: Star Identification after the Sight 22

4.1 Identifying Navigational Stars 22

4.2 Identifying Other Stars 25

4.3 Identifying Planets 27

Chapter 5. APPLICATION II: Predicting Heights and Bearings 30

5.1 Precomputing Stars for Routine Sights 31

5.2 Choosing Optimum Stars for Routine Sights 32

5.3 Precomputing Sun, Moon and Planets 35

5.4 Choosing Time Between Sun Lines for a Running Fix 36

5.5 Picking Optimum Star-Planet Combinations 40

Chapter 6. APPLICATION III: Sun-Moon and Sun-Venus Sights 48

6.1 Figuring Optimum Sight Times 49

6.2 A Precaution Doing Daylight Sights 55

6.3 Star Finder versus Alternative Methods 55

Chapter 7. Other Star Finder Applications 57

7.1 Emergency Steering with the Star Finder 57

7.2 Great Circle Sailing 58

BIBLIOGRAPHY 61

APPENDIX 62

Almanac Data 62

Improved Template Readings 67

Equation Summary 68

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews