Learning outcomes include the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities to understand the following topics:

• Composition and dimensions of the Solar system. Relative and proper motion of celestial bodies in the celestial sphere.
• The parts of the celestial sphere and the coordinate systems.
• Diurnal movement of celestial bodies.
• The Nautical Almanac: content and application.
• Working with a sextant: construction elements, the principle usage and the basic measurement. Determination of celestial bodies for observation.
• Basic celestial observations to determine compass error.
• The framework of defining the ship’s position in celestial navigation.
• Determining the observed place by the altitude lines position (ALP). Accuracy calculation and observation of the ALP.

Chapter 1. Introduction to celestial navigation. Celestial sphere and spherical coordinates of celestial bodies;

Chapter 2. The Solar system and the visible movement of the celestial bodies;

Chapter 3. Time and measurement of time;

Chapter 4. The Nautical Almanac;

Chapter 5. Sextant and correction of heights of celestial bodies;

Chapter 6. The procedure to determine the ship’s position by celestial bodies.

Chapter 7. Methods of celestial observations of a ship at sea;

Chapter 8. Celestial methods of determining compass error.