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Learn how to determine your position using a sextant and a custom slide rule with minimal mathematical calculations in this conference talk from the 39th Chaos Communication Congress. Discover the traditional art of celestial navigation that helped sailors find their way across the oceans before GPS technology existed. Explore the challenges of conventional celestial navigation methods, which typically require large almanac lookup tables and complex base-60 degree-minute-second mathematics that can be frustrating even with modern calculators. Master the meridian passage technique, also known as taking the noon sight, which uses the Sun's position at its highest point to determine your location. Understand how a specialized circular slide rule can revolutionize the navigation process by handling most table lookups automatically, including corrections for height of eye, semi-diameter, temperature, refraction, and index errors. Follow step-by-step instructions for creating your own printable paper slide rule that simplifies the degree-minute-second arithmetic required to calculate the Sun's exact declination. Practice reducing meridian passage measurements to precise latitude and longitude coordinates using only a few rotations of the slide rule wheels and pointer, eliminating the need for electronic devices or bulky reference books. Gain practical skills in traditional navigation methods that remain valuable for maritime enthusiasts, sailors, and anyone interested in understanding how humans navigated the world's oceans using only celestial observations and mechanical calculation tools.
