The Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport
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Nautical Studies
2022/2023

Celestial Navigation


Syllabus

Solar system. Fundamental principles in astronomical navigation,  the time, the astronomical triangle, nautical almanac, sunrise/sunset, astronomical bearings and positions,  identification of relevant celestial bodies,  compass control using the sun, sextant's function and handling, sunrise/sunset, atlas and navigational charts, chronometer, rhumb line, great circle and composite sailing Fixing Position using Celestial bodies. Accurately Plotting the positions of Celestial Bodies in order to obtain a fix. Calculating the Latitude by Meridian Altitude of the Sun or a Planet and Polaris. Calculating the time of Meridian Altitude of the Sun or a Planet. Voyage Planning. VTS.

 

Content according to IMO Model course 7.03:

CELESTIAL NAVIGATION:

  • Solar system
  • Celestial sphere and equinoctial system of coordinates
  • Hour angle
  • Daily motion and horizontal system of coordinates
  • Sextant and altitude corrections
  • Amplitude
  • Time and equation of time
  • Nautical Almanac
  • Latitude by meridian altitude
  • Pole Star observations
  • Position fixing

 

Content according to IMO Model course 7.01:

VOYAGE PLANNING AND NAVIGATION FOR ALL CONDITIONS:

  • Voyage planning for all conditions by acceptable methods of plotting ocean tracks

POSITION DETERMINATION IN ALL CONDITIONS:

  • Celestial navigation.
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Goals and competencies

To get knowledge of expertise and responsibilities regarding basic requirements for conducting celestial navigation. To understand basic concepts and elements of ship management from the perspective of different celestial methods. Students must be able to conduct celestial navigation in all conditions with the knowledge they have gained.

 

Special features:

Implementation of the learning content among others include requirements in accordance with the provisions of the STCW Convention A-II / 1, A-II/2  and the recommendations of the »Master and Chief Mate (Model course 7.01)« and »Officer in charge of a navigational watch (Model course 7.03)« International Maritime Organization, London, 2014


Basic literature

  1. Kitarović, I.: Navigacijska astronomija, Visoka pomorska škola u Rijeci , Rijeka, 2000, 150 str. ISBN: 953-165-068-3
  2. Zec, D.: Planiranje pomorske plovidbe, Rijeka, 1997, 178 str. COBISS.SI-ID: 1026147
  3. Lipovac, M.: Astronomska navigacija – udžbenik za mornaričke i pomorske škole; Hidrografski Institut, Split, 1981, 449 str.

Lecturers

Lectures