"Celestial Navigation in the Age of Sail" was exactly what I was looking for to familiarize myself with historical marine navigation. Frank is an engaging instructor who weaved the story of a 19th century whaling voyage into hands-on practical calculations. He started by unveiling an incomprehensible historical document filled with numbers and promised that by the end of the course we could decode the figures. He's developed a step-by-step teaching method that is a marvel to watch and experience.
I must admit I dreaded two, back-to-back, 5-hour days, but the time sailed by. (Sorry can't resist.) Thank you.
He also included some 17th century data that I needed. I'm neither a mathematician nor a sailer, but a journalist and author.
Advanced Lunars
Winter / Spring 2026:
Diving deeper with Lunars, we'll learn more history, more fascinating math details, and we'll also see how lunars survived into the Space Age.
More details soon...
All workshops: $ 149 per person, per workshopCreated and taught by Frank Reed, celestial navigation and astronomy consultant on the team that found Shackleton's "Endurance" in 2022. Also a recent guest expert in celestial navigation on Neil deGrasse Tyson's StarTalk on The National Geographic Channel.
- Nine hours of class sessions.
- Lunars and Longitude is highly recommended as a prerequisite.
- Good familiarity with trigonometry and some algebra is recommended.
If you're registered for an online workshop, you're invited to attend hour-long sextant practical sessions in Rhode Island and Connecticut scheduled as weather and other factors permit. These live, in-person sessions are included in your registration for online classes.
Comments:
Lucinda Fleeson wrote: 26👍
Greg Rudzinski wrote: 6👍
The online class "Lunars: Finding Longitude by Lunar Distance" was a very interesting introduction to the esoteric history of lunars as practiced at sea in the pre chronometer 18th century tall ship era. Practical instruction was also done demonstrating the physical process of observing a lunar with a sextant followed by a how to lunar sight reduction example using a pocket calculator, formulae, and tables. A very rewarding experience.
Greg Rudzinski
Retired Merchant Mariner
SUNY Maritime class of 80
Greg Rudzinski
Retired Merchant Mariner
SUNY Maritime class of 80
John Brown wrote: 6👍
Frank
Thanks for a great app. The new option of using SI unit is really useful for us on the other side of the pond.
I have upgraded to the pro version and passed news of the upgrade to a friend learning to use her sextant. No doubt she will also relay this info.
Best regards
John Brown
Thanks for a great app. The new option of using SI unit is really useful for us on the other side of the pond.
I have upgraded to the pro version and passed news of the upgrade to a friend learning to use her sextant. No doubt she will also relay this info.
Best regards
John Brown
