ReedNavigation.com

Classes in celestial navigation and related topics
 

Expert Celestial

Winter / Spring 2026:
  • Register Apr 27,28,29 PACIFIC session: 8pm-11:45pm US Eastern time (0100-0445 UT next calendar day), online.

Explore the underlying concepts and math of celestial navigation including spherical triangles, azimuth calculations, great circle distance, and other exotic topics. We'll learn refined methods for taking sights and eliminating the smallest errors in sextant observations, and we'll learn all about standard Moon sights. We'll explore the principles behind various methods of sight reduction as well as calculator-based azimuth calculations.

Forward-looking, modern, and calculator-based, this workshop is an excellent sequel to our "Modern Celestial" and "Advanced Celestial" workshops. More history, more science, more math, more navigation!

All workshops: $ 149 per person, per workshop

Created 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.

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:


Samuel S Lyness wrote:
Frank, a wonderful course in Lunars. I learned a lot. I admire your teaching skills and your astounding fund of knowledge. I would wish to emulate your style of instruction. Best regards, hope to sign up for your course in Cel. Nav. in Age of Sailing.
Sam Lyness
Dr. Stanley J. Zawada & Ilona M. Kovacs wrote:
If we could leave 5 stars, we'd leave 10 ! We have attended several courses and enjoyed each one! Mr. Frank Reed is as entertaining as is his complete mastery of the subjects he teaches. The level of preparedness shines like the stars he so loves. We thank you for the most excellent courses we have had the ultimate pleasure to experience.
Philip M. Sadler wrote:
What a joyful and stimulating experience to enroll in Frank Reed's class, Celestial Navigation: 19th Century Methods. Frank is a skillful and engaging teacher, able to draw students into this fascinating subject, whether they be novice or experienced. His depth of knowledge is tremendous. Participants get a real taste of what it was like to be aboard a sailing ship of the day. I learned much to enliven my own teaching and decode 19th century ship's logs. It is a rare experience, indeed, to have so much thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and fun packed into two days. This is the way to learn!

Philip M. Sadler, Ed.D.
F.W. Wright Senior Lecturer in Celestial Navigation
Harvard University Astronomy Department
Cambridge, MA

Discount Code

Contribute

  • We need your support: Please consider contributing to our operations costs.

Next Online: ATL weekends


Next Online: PAC weekdays


Next at Mystic

  • [2026 on hiatus]

Contact Us

Your Comment or Question:

die 1 die 2 die 3
anti-bot test:
Count dots on dice. Enter total.