Astronomical solutions falter from "summary" of Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time by Dava Sobel
The reliance on astronomical solutions to determine one's location at sea proved to be a risky endeavor. While the stars and moon could provide a general sense of position, their accuracy faltered when it came to calculating longitude. The imprecise nature of celestial navigation often led sailors astray, putting their lives in jeopardy on the open ocean. One of the main issues with astronomical solutions was the need for clear skies in order to take accurate readings. Unfortunately, weather conditions at sea were often unpredictable, making it challenging to obtain the necessary data. Even a slight miscalculation in celestial observations could result in a significant error in determining one's longitude, leading to potentially disastrous consequences. Fu...
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