Celestial Navigation · Fix Quality — Symmetry
A three-star fix plots as a small triangle. What does a tight, near-zero triangle generally indicate compared with a large one?
- AA large triangle is always more accurate
- BA tight triangle indicates good observations and timing; a large triangle warns of a bad sight, timing error, or constant error✓ Correct
- CThe triangle size is unrelated to accuracy
- DA tight triangle means the stars were too close together
Explanation
As with terrestrial three-bearing fixes, a small triangle suggests consistent, well-timed sights, while a large one flags a blunder, timing error, or a constant error (e.g., index/personal error) common to all sights, which should be investigated.
Authority: Bowditch (Pub. No. 9), evaluating the celestial fix
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