OPTIMAL ESTIMATION OF A MULTI-STAR FIX

C. De Wit

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	Astro-fixes have the advantage of being extremely cheap. However, the tedious work, connected to the computation of altitudes and azimuths and the plotting of the position lines, has been a severe objection to this position fixing method. Moreover, the comparatively long time, needed to carry out these manipulations without the aid of a computer, is a severe potential disadvantage, especially for modern, fast going container carriers. Using a small, i.e. pocket size transistorized computer, the computing objections can be practically overruled. It is the object of this paper to present a uniform procedure to take over the plotting-and-position-estimating-part of the job. The procedure is fully explained, in order to prevent it from being seen by the navigating ship’s officers as “another black magic box”. In addition to that, the observer’s skill in estimating standard deviations can be used as a highly valuable input.
Published in:	NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 21, Number 4
Pages:	320 - 325
Cite this article:	De Wit, C., "OPTIMAL ESTIMATION OF A MULTI-STAR FIX", NAVIGATION: Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 21, No. 4, Winter 1974-1975, pp. 320-325.
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