Posted by Jock on October 27, 2007 at 19:53:54 from 87.105.81.146 user Jock.
In Reply to: Re: Longitude, was Time Ball, was Signal Stations posted by Ed Kiser on October 27, 2007 at 16:46:03:
Researching the background to this thread has been a real voyage of discovery.
Prior to the invention of the marine chronometer by John Harrison, longitude
could be calculated using lunar distances. The mathematics was quite difficult
and time consuming. Patrick O'Brian fans will remember that Jack Aubrey is
forever trying to coach his reluctant midshipmen in the art of trigonometry
and spherical geometry.
Although the methods now used in celestial navigation are now much simpler,
something of the old reputation of being difficult has stayed with the subject.
I guess it's a bit like people who have never used a PC saying that computers
are too difficult for them.
For any TarBoarders keen to expand their knowledge of this fascinating subject,
I have discovered a wonderful on-line tutorial here which is quite illuminating.