Celestial Navigation · Great Circle — Initial Course
Along a great-circle track between two points, the true course:
- AEquals the latitude
- BStays constant the whole way
- CIs always due east
- DChanges continuously, so it is steered as rhumb-line legs between waypoints✓ Correct
Explanation
Because a great circle crosses successive meridians at changing angles, its true course constantly changes. The navigator computes waypoints along the great circle and steers the constant-course rhumb-line legs between them, approximating the shortest path.
Authority: Bowditch (Pub. No. 9), Great-Circle Sailing
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