Lunars: the OTHER Longitude.
---------------------------


WHAT: A workshop on lunar distance navigation presented
by Frank Reed.
WHE At the Planetarium at Mystic Seaport
in Mystic, Connecticut.
WHEN: Friday September 9, 2005 at 3PM. Practical sights
the following afternoon weather permitting.
WHO: Anyone interested in the history of celestial navigation
and nautical astronomy.
HOW MUCH: Free for this workshop. Standard museum admission
rates apply if you plan to visit the historic vessels
and other exhibits at Mystic Seaport.


Perhaps you've read the tale of Harrison and his chronometers
in a little book called "Longitude", but have you heard the
other side of the story? How did ocean navigators figure out
where they were when chronometers were unavailable? Join us
on September 9th at the Seaport Planetarium at Mystic Seaport
for a two to three hour workshop on the "lunar distance method"
of determining longitude at sea. From the late 18th
through the 19h centuries, vessels of all sizes flying the
flags of many nations were navigated across the oceans using
the Moon as a great natural clock in the sky. Long abandoned
and surrounded by lore and legend, this method has seen
a renaissance of interest among celestial navigation
enthusiasts in recent years, and in this workshop you'll
learn the history of this important technique and the
practical skills to try it yourself, too. We will examine
modern computer methods for instantly analyzing lunars as
well as two traditional pen-and-paper methods for "clearing"
a lunar distance including the method that made Nathaniel
Bowditch famous. We'll discuss some of the myths and
misconceptions connected with lunar distances, and we will
explore the reality of their practical application at sea
as recorded in the old logbooks in the library collections
at Mystic Seaport. With a little practice, you'll be able
to find your longitude using "lunars" today following in
the great traditions of explorers and navigators from the
18th and 19th centuries.


Bring your sextant if you have one. We will do some trial
lunar distance sights Friday afternoon, and if the weather
permits we will also meet at Stonington Point, a few miles
from Mystic Seaport, on Saturday afternoon for a complete
lunar distance sight set and sight reductions.


There is no greater test of skill and accuracy for a
celestial navigator than the art of lunar distance navigation.
Join us for this workshop and become a true lunarian!


For further information, call the Planetarium at
Mystic Seaport: 860-572-5302 ext. 5151. For directions
and general information on Mystic Seaport, please visit the
museum's web site: http://www.MysticSeaport.org.

wrote:

Lunars: the OTHER Longitude.
---------------------------
WHAT: A workshop on lunar distance navigation presented
by Frank Reed.
WHE At the Planetarium at Mystic Seaport
in Mystic, Connecticut.

Alas I am too many thousand miles from Connecticut, so I cannot attend
the workshop. Is the lunar method explained on some web page (or in
a book)?

regards
Markus Sadeniemi

(remove ".poista" from the mail address)