Abstract
ABSTRACT: A new interest is arising in astronomical navigation (referred to as astro hereafter), because small, low-power microcomputers are now readily available to perform necessary computations. Consequently, astro may provide sufficient autonomy, even aboard a sailing boat. A self-contained and efficient method, such as the method of coplanar vertices, allows astro to overcome many of its previous limitations, and raises interest again in its use as a means to provide a good level of navigation performance. This approach leads to a focus on observations, to encourage an increase in their rate, and therefore to enable users to profit from their multiplicity. This new method has been implemented in several software packages. With no intention of competing with GPS, astro using coplanar vertices can be considered not only as a complement to satellite systems, but also as a pedagogic tool. Sextant navigation in the open sea may again be accessed by anyone, with pleasure instead of labor.
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