Writing an Almanac for WP-34S - Use Bowditch?

[Nick]

If I were to write an almanac for the WP-34S (similar to the HP-41 Navigation Module) would you suggest Bowditch? The HP-41 Navigation Module is great and I'm fine with some error to save memory as it's just for fun.

Thanks,
Nick

Edit: Added hyperlink for those not familiar.

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello!

(08-29-2016 07:47 AM)Nick Wrote:  ... I'm fine with some error ...

I would estimate that the error you make when you take your sightings - I am told that a very well trained observer can use a sextant with an accuracy of about 1/2 arc minute - far outweighs the error which is introduced by simplified almanac data. Therefore I would go for the version which is easiest to get into the calculator.

Regards
Max

[Santi]

The best book you can use on the matter is Astronomical Algorithms written by Jean Meeus.
For Great Circle and Rhumb Line runs, as well as Nautical Tables you can't go wrong with the Bowditch.
For the analytical solution of intercepts into a geographic position, read the following link:
http://astro.physics.uiowa.edu/~rlm/math...001418.pdf
Have fun!

[PANAMATIK]

(10-15-2016 07:44 PM)Santi Wrote:  The best book you can use on the matter is Astronomical Algorithms written by Jean Meeus.
For Great Circle and Rhumb Line runs, as well as Nautical Tables you can't go wrong with the Bowditch.
For the analytical solution of intercepts into a geographic position, read the following link:
http://astro.physics.uiowa.edu/~rlm/math...001418.pdf
Have fun!

For german readers this is the best book for astronomical navigation I found:

http://shs-goettingen.de/downloads-Dateien/astronav.pdf

And this is very accurate pascal program for calculating nautical tables. I doubt it will fit into the HP-41 or WP-34S

http://www.qsl.net/df2iax/segeln/astrozip.zip

Bernhard