11. NAV-ASTR (Ship's Position fixed by stars)

This program executes the position of the vessel by using 4 stars or planets. It is advisable to be always in training with this calculation because there is the possibility of some black out of the vessel and also because it is more safe to check frequently satellite or GPS. The ship's Master who forget starfinder and stars/planets calculations is similar to a train-driver.

The program provides automatically a preliminary calculation for an easy stars observation during twilight i.e. the rough preliminary calculation of the position of the stars or planets. It is possible also the observation of unknown stars or planets. INPUTS of the name of stars/planets is to be effected by using the first letter in capital letter; For example Venus and not "venus"; Vega and not vega and so on.

The program calculates automatically stars and planets position till the year 2999 i.e. for 100 years without using the Nautical Almanac. Remember that Nautical Almanac is compulsory on board all vessels and also the magnetic compass. Classification's surveyor can stop the vessel not provided with the Nautical Almanac and also if the magnetic compass not working properly.

When the position fixed by stars is completed it is possible to obtain the coloured graph and the program will ask if bisecting line are to be included in the graph. It will be enough to strike the key "Y" i.e. "YES" and soon after the program will ask the following points:

How much bisecting lines? STRIKE 1 or 2.
First bisecting line? STRIKE 1.2 or 2.3 or 3.4
Second bisecting line? STRIKE 1.2 or 2.3 or 3.4

It is obvious that if you use first bisecting line 2.3, the second bisecting line will be 1.4; also if you use first bisecting line 1.2, the second bisecting line will be 3.4

The program also will ask you the extension of the coloured graph; You can write for example 60 to have the graph extension of 60 nautical miles. If you input 300 you can have the graph extension of 300 nautical miles and so on. In conclusion, you can see in your monitor the true position of the vessel; a complete calculations and the coloured graph. Coloured graph you can print striking keys ALT+STAMP together, and using COREL program or MSPAINT to have image and clicking on (copy and paste).