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See you "all" in Mystic on  Friday...

>>>>>
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.
<<<<<

-FER
42.0N  87.7W, or 41.4N 72.1W.
www.HistoricalAtlas.com/lunars

   

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