The Method of Coplanar Vertices for Astronomical Positioning: Present Applications and Future Extensions

摘要

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.