🔍 Key Concepts

• Star selection for a 3‑body fix (good azimuth spread, suitable altitudes, bright bodies) • Effect of latitude and date on which stars/planets are high enough above the horizon • Strengths and weaknesses of using Polaris and planets for star fixes

💭 Think About

• From 24° N at about 0400 local on 2 February, think about which bodies will likely be clustered along the ecliptic and which will give you widely separated bearings around the horizon. • Consider why navigators usually prefer stars with altitudes between about 20° and 70° rather than very high or very low bodies. • Ask yourself: does including Polaris (very near the pole) usually improve or weaken the geometry of a 3‑body fix when combined with two planets?

✅ Before You Answer

• Check that the three bodies in the group are well spread in azimuth (ideally 90°–150° apart, not bunched in one quadrant). • Confirm that each body would have a reasonable altitude (not too close to the horizon and not almost overhead) for an observer at about 24° N. • Verify that at least two of the bodies are bright, easily observed stars or planets, not a mix that gives you poor fix geometry (e.g., two planets very close along the ecliptic plus Polaris).