This edited volume charts the history of celestial navigation over the course of five centuries. Written by a group of historians and scientists, it analyzes how competing navigation systems, technologies, and institutions emerged and developed, with a focus on the major players in the US and the UK.
The history covers the founding of the Royal Observatory; the first printing of a Nautical Almanac; the founding of the US and UK Nautical Almanac Offices; the creation of international standards for reference systems and astronomical constants; and the impact of 20th century technology on the field, among other topics. Additionally, the volume analyzes the present role and status of celestial navigation, particularly with respect to modern radio and satellite navigation systems.
With its diverse authorship and nontechnical language, this book will appeal to any reader interested in the history of science, technology, astronomy, and navigation over the ages.
Please follow the structure as defined in the file IdoAA Contents - 2020 Jan 27 .
This is an important story which should be of interest and concern to all. (David Stickland, The Observatory, Vol. 141 (1280), February, 2021)
Dr. P. Kenneth Seidelmann received an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1960, followed by a Master of Science degree in 1962 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Dynamical Astronomy in 1968. After military service as a Research and Development Coordinator at the US Army Missile Command from 1963 to 1965, he joined the Nautical Almanac Office of the US Naval Observatory. In February 1976, he was named Director of the Nautical Almanac Office. In September 1990, the Nautical Almanac Office was reorganized into two departments and he became director of the Orbital Mechanics Department. IlÓ¶
![The History of Celestial Navigation: Rise of the Royal Observatory and Nautical Almanacs [Paperback]](/itemImage/2/0/5/4/2_5340654.jpg "The History of Celestial Navigation: Rise of the Royal Observatory and Nautical Almanacs [Paperback]")