What is the primary purpose of the nautical almanac?

The primary purpose of the nautical almanac is to provide data for celestial navigation, including the positions of celestial bodies at specific times. This essential resource contains precise information about the trajectories of the sun, moon, planets, and stars, which is crucial for navigators relying on celestial navigation techniques. These positional data points allow sailors to determine their location at sea by measuring angles between celestial bodies and the horizon, thus calculating their latitude and longitude.

While weather forecasts, fuel consumption calculations, and safety protocols are important aspects of maritime operations, they do not fall within the core function of the nautical almanac. The almanac focuses specifically on celestial positions and their relationships to navigation, making it an indispensable tool for those navigating without modern electronic aids.