CelestialCamera

Use this CelestialCamera application to experiment with celestial navigation. You can use the application to measure the angle between the horizon and the sun. Just like a sextant. After obtaining the angle, you should use the same mathemathics as when you use a sextant.

The usage is simple: In the first pivot (called horizon camea) you make a picture of the horizon. In the second pivot (called sun camera) make a picture of the sun, making sure the bottom side of the sun just touches the horizon. Too facilitate this, the photo of the horizon is being displayed transparant as long as you keep the shutter button pressed. After releasing the shutter key, you are presented with the resulting angle between horizon and de bottom side of the sun.

if you are not satisfied with the sighting you can repeat the procedure by pressing (and holding) the shutter button to go back to the "sun camera". Or, you can go back to the "horizon camera" to re-calibrate to the horizon and make a new sighting after a few minutes.

If I receive some feedback on this app, I will add UTC time recording, a list of sightings, a plot of the elevations versus time and last but not least a model of the sun which can be used in combination with the current GPS coordinates to compare the expected elevation of the sun at the current position and your sightings. Or when there is no GPS available to make a rough estimate of your current position using nothing more then the camera of your phone!

A lot of possible exciting features, but remember: I need feedback on the app to add new features.