NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: Lunars Workshop, Mystic, 9/9/2005
From: Andrew Corl
Date: 2005 Aug 11, 09:04 -0400
From: Andrew Corl
Date: 2005 Aug 11, 09:04 -0400
I would also be very interested in seeing a video, or if there is some type of presentation material (such as Powerpoint, etc.) I would love to get those and study that way. Andrew Corl -----Original Message----- From: Navigation Mailing List [mailto:NAVIGATION-L@LISTSERV.WEBKAHUNA.COM] On Behalf Of Robert Eno Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 8:43 AM To: NAVIGATION-L@LISTSERV.WEBKAHUNA.COM Subject: Re: Lunars Workshop, Mystic, 9/9/2005 Thanks for the notice Frank. If only I were a wealthy dilettante, I would jet down to Mystic for the event. Given the wide distribution of this list, you might wish to consider having your presentation videotaped for the benefit of those of us who live in the far-flung corners of the world. Certainly I would be interested in seeing what you have to say on this matter. What one misses out on when living in the boonies. Robert ----- Original Message ----- From: "Frank Reed"To: Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 2:34 AM Subject: Lunars Workshop, Mystic, 9/9/2005 > Lunars: the OTHER Longitude. > --------------------------- > > 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. > > -FER > 42.0N 87.7W, or 41.4N 72.1W. > www.HistoricalAtlas.com/lunars