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From: Frank Reed (no email)
Date: Tue Sep 06 2005 - 12:18:54 EDT
See you "all" in Mystic on Friday...
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Lunars: the OTHER Longitude.
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WHAT: A workshop on lunar distance navigation presented by Frank Reed.
WHERE: 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.
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-FER
42.0N 87.7W, or 41.4N 72.1W.
www.HistoricalAtlas.com/lunars
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