Introduction

Basics

Links, etc.

Nav-L

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Introduction

• One page overview of the Lunar Distance

Basic Theory and Practice

• Article explaining the lunar distance with diagrams and instructions for taking a backyard lunar.

• Spreadsheet for clearing a backyard lunar and finding GMT.

• Tables available for clearing a lunar distance and finding GMT.

• Tables of Pre-Computed Lunar Distances.  2004 Tables now available.

• Four part series explaining lunars in depth.

Links

• Basics

• Land Based use of the Lunar Distance.

  • Lewis and Clark crossing America, 1804-1806

  • David Thompson exploring of the Canadian west, 1790-1812

  • A. C. Gregory, exploring Australia, 1850's

• Bibliography and Other Resources.

  • History of Nautical Astronomy by Charles H Cotter (with link to compendium of errors)

  • Self-contained Celestial Navigation with HO 208  by John S Letcher

  • Greenwich Time and the Longitude by Derek Howse

  • The Quest for Longitude (ed. Andrewes)

  • Nevil Maskelyne, the Seaman's Astronomer by Derek Howse

  • The Mathematics of the Longitude, by Wong-Lee Nah

Nav-L Lunar Discussions

• Use of Calculated Altitudes to Clear a Lunar Distance.

• Use of Sun Sights for Local Time and Lunars for GMT to get Longitude from the Difference.

• Various Methods for Clearing the Lunar Distance.

• David Thomson's 1824 tables for clearing the Lunar Distance.

• Explanation of Bruce Stark's Tables for Clearing the Lunar Distance and Finding G.M.T.

• Bruce Stark's Tables put in the historical context of the various methods for clearing the distance.

• Tables of Pre-Computed Lunar Distances for 2003.

• Contents of Maskelyne's Tables Requisite, the original set of tables for clearing lunars from 1766.

• Actual Data from Lunar Distance Observations.

• Parallactic Retardation and its effect on the lunar distance.