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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.

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

   

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