I recently took online versions of Frank Reed's "Celestial Navigation in the Age of Sail", and "Lunars - Finding Longitude by Lunar Distances". I couldn't have been more happy with them. Having originally learned post WWII celestial methods as an officer in the United States Navy, and taken it up as a hobby, I was quite familiar with that era's procedures. However, I was intrigued by how they managed prior to then. Frank's two classes filled that void. His vast knowledge of the subject, both the technical aspects of the work as well as the historical significance were perfectly balanced. These are classes that can be thoroughly enjoyed by both the novice as well as the well versed practitioner. Recipe's for doing the work, the science behind those recipes, and actual voyages by the sailors that practiced the art were all presented with wonderful clarity. If "time sights", "cleared lunar distances" or "apparent time" have ever roused an interest, you owe it to yourself to take one of Frank's classes.
Doug MacPherson
Lieutenant, USN sep.
Modern Celestial Navigation
Winter / Spring 2026:
A fast-paced introduction to celestial navigation from a 21st century perspective employing streamlined, practical, modern methods.
We cover Sun sights in detail, correcting sights for dip, refraction, and other details to determine a "position fix" in latitude and longitude. We'll use efficient, modern Sun data from the "guidebook" which you will receive as part of this workshop. We'll learn about the diurnal motions of the Sun and stars in different latitudes and seasons.
With everything you learn in this class and complete tables you will receive in class, you could navigate the oceans by sextant the very next day. This workshop covers the principle, use, and adjustment of modern sextants. You'll learn how to calibrate any sextant in just a few minutes to bring it to perfect working order.
Advanced Celestial: Position Fixes & Star Sights is recommended as a follow-up.
All workshops: $ 149 per person, per workshop- Register Apr 6,7,8: online.
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.
- Nine hours of class sessions.
- Before this workshop: no pre-requisites; designed for beginners.
- Some math you'll need: Basic addition and subtraction; good familiarity with the concepts of latitude and longitude; introductory algebra concepts, especially positive and negative numbers.
- Recommended for ages 18 and up, students as young as age 13 welcome.
- You'll need to purchase the recommended scientific calculator for the class: the Casio fx-260 Solar (original or newer "II" model). These are widely available for less than $15 at Walmart, Staples, and other stores.
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:
Doug MacPherson wrote: 23👍
Lee Schacter wrote: 2👍
A great course and teacher. Finally got my head around celestial navigation...
Samuel S Lyness wrote: 8👍
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
Sam Lyness
