[FPSPACE] Fw: [HASTRO-L] Star navigation revival in the Pacific

[LARRY KLAES]

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-----Original Message-----
From: "John M. McMahon" <mcmahon at LEMOYNE.EDU>
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:00:23 
To: <HASTRO-L at listserv.wvu.edu>
Subject: [HASTRO-L] Star navigation revival in the Pacific

BBC 10/24/09:
 
 "Yap revives ancient art of star sailing"
 
 "The ancient skills of building ocean-going canoes and sailing them by star
 across great distances are being revived on the Pacific island of Yap, as
 the BBC's Ben Lowings reports."
 
 [snip]
 
 "Master Navigator Ali Haleyalur teaches the art of celestial navigation. He
 is from the Yapese outer islands of Lamotrek and Satowal.
 
 He sails in the traditional manner - by the stars, winds and currents. He
 does not use maps, or star-charts.
 
 He points to his head. 'It's all in here,' he says"
 
 [snip]
 
 "'Even if you can't see the island on the water, you can see the island,' he
 explains.
 
 The stars nearest the horizon do not wheel around the sky as do those higher
 up.
 
 'Each island has a star above it,' Mr Haleyalur continues. 'I sail through
 one place. There is a star above this island. And there is a star above that
 place. And I steer between the two.'
 
 In essence, the navigator uses the stars as directional tools, to plot a
 course between islands - even if those islands are only a few kilometres
 wide, and hundreds of kilometres away from the boat."
 
 More:
 
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/asia-pacific/8322725.stm <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/asia-pacific/8322725.stm> 
 
 JMM / LMC