Almanac and Celestial Navigation Calculator

Sean C · 01-06-21, 04:01 AM

All,

Here is a link to the latest version of my Excel almanac. I have added a data series calculator, sight reduction calculator, position log, great circle route planner and map. (It's really just a consolidation of several different spreadsheets.) A few bugs from the last version have also been squashed.

The new data series calculator can be used to make charts like the following for data comparison or analysis:

I would greatly appreciate it if everyone could test it out to make sure everything works. Nothing rigorous. I'd just like to know if it all functions as intended. I've been having a little trouble locking some parts of the spreadsheet while still keeping it functional. But I think I've got it solved - for now. Not the most elegant solution, but maybe I can improve on it in the future.

Thanks!

Shawn

PS
Don't let the warning about macros scare you. Neal knows where I live ... seriously.

Link to the zipped spreadsheet.

Link to the unzipped spreadsheet.

***NOTE: This spreadsheet is only guaranteed to work in current versions of Microsoft Excel.***

Current list of features:

Perpetual almanac which lists basic data necessary for celestial navigation
Sky chart showing traditional nav bodies above the horizon
Data series calculator for comparison/analysis
DR and sight reduction calculator
Position log
Great circle route calculator including internal database of ~15,500 cities worldwide
Internal delta-T values for dates between 500 BC and AD 2030
Custom delta-T value fields for dates outside the above range - or whenever
Only 2MB

Some stats:

Total Sheets: 18
Cells with data: 180,868
Tables: 4
Formulas: 8,373
Charts: 2
Macros: 26
Days I've been working on it so far: 237

vienna · 01-06-21, 05:06 AM

Yeah, hey...

...like, do you know the way to San Jose...?...

<O>

Catfish · 01-06-21, 05:13 AM

Hello Nathaniel umm Shawn,
i always wanted to ask you since you advertised "ask me" ... seems to be a nice tool !

Skybird · 01-06-21, 05:20 AM

Its the first chess program I have ever seen that gives out the moves in Longitudes and Latitudes.

Sean C · 01-06-21, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catfish

Hello Nathaniel umm Shawn,
i always wanted to ask you since you advertised "ask me" ... seems to be a nice tool !

Please feel free to ask me anything about celestial navigation. I really enjoy teaching people about it!

I should probably ask Neal to change my forum name. I chose it as a nod to Nathaniel Bowditch, the editor of The American Practical Navigator (now mostly known simply as Bowditch). But it is probably a bit confusing ... and obscure.

Hey Neal, if you're reading this: can you please go ahead and change my forum name to something like "Sean C"? That's what I use on some other forums. I'll send you a PM, too. Thanks in advance!

Sean C · 01-06-21, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

Its the first chess program I have ever seen that gives out the moves in Longitudes and Latitudes.

Pffft. I'm terrible at chess. And anything involving strategy. Like Steel Beasts.

Sean C · 01-06-21, 05:57 AM

By the way, there's no reason this spreadsheet can't be used with a flight sim like MSFSX or whatever as well. The route planner includes a database of about 15,500 cities worldwide (many nowhere near water) and will plot the shortest route between any two.

The sight reduction calculator should work with aerial observations, as well.

There are a couple of minor bugs I have left to kill. (See the bottom of the instructions tab.) And some more features I want to add.

I was thinking of making a special

edition, too.

ET2SN · 01-06-21, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean C

By the way, there's no reason this spreadsheet can't be used with a flight sim like MSFSX or whatever as well.

Want me to make the intros for you over at Flightsim.com?

I know folks who will use if they know it exists.

BTW, is it possible to download the zipped version?

Sean C · 01-06-21, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ET2SN

Want me to make the intros for you over at Flightsim.com?

I know folks who will use if they know it exists.

BTW, is it possible to download the zipped version?

You should be able to save the zip file to your PC and extract it. I'll have to see if there's a problem when I get home.

By all means, let the folks at flightsim.com know about it. I'll try to get over there and post a link, too. Thanks!

ET2SN · 01-06-21, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean C

You should be able to save the zip file to your PC and extract it. I'll have to see if there's a problem when I get home.

By all means, let the folks at flightsim.com know about it. I'll try to get over there and post a link, too. Thanks!

Get in touch with Tom Gibson from "Cal Classics" on the FS2004 forum.

This is a "can't lose" deal for the classic airliner crowd.

August · 01-06-21, 07:38 PM

I've done those calculations by hand back in the day. My left eyelid still twitches every time I think of it!

Sean C · 01-07-21, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ET2SN

is it possible to download the zipped version?

Well, I'm home. I must admit: it took me a while to figure out how to download the file myself. Apparently you might need to "open the sidebar" (see attached pic) before you see the download button. Maybe I should use another file sharing service.

Also, here is a link to the unzipped spreadsheet. I also attached it to the first post.

Sean C · 01-07-21, 07:26 PM

FYI: It seems my spreadsheet may lose functionality or output incorrect data if opened with a program other than MS Excel.

First post updated.

Sean C · 01-09-21, 05:30 AM

Bug fixes/changes:

There was a bug causing some leap year dates to be calculated incorrectly. I fixed it ... I think.
Updated the delta-T values and extended the table into the past just a little. o.O
The notes on the Almanac tab did not reflect the changes. I polished them until they did.

Should be even more accurate now. (Still only guaranteed to work on Excel, sorry.)

See my sig or the first post for the link.

Cheers!

PS
I am going to have that Dionne Warwick song stuck in my head forever now. Thanks, vienna.

Skybird · 01-09-21, 05:57 AM

All nice and well, but the engine still cannot play the Subsim Defence, Skybird variation.

01-06-21, 04:01 AM	#1
Sean C Grey Wolf Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 984 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 2	Almanac and Celestial Navigation Calculator All, Here is a link to the latest version of my Excel almanac. I have added a data series calculator, sight reduction calculator, position log, great circle route planner and map. (It's really just a consolidation of several different spreadsheets.) A few bugs from the last version have also been squashed. The new data series calculator can be used to make charts like the following for data comparison or analysis: I would greatly appreciate it if everyone could test it out to make sure everything works. Nothing rigorous. I'd just like to know if it all functions as intended. I've been having a little trouble locking some parts of the spreadsheet while still keeping it functional. But I think I've got it solved - for now. Not the most elegant solution, but maybe I can improve on it in the future. Thanks! Shawn PS Don't let the warning about macros scare you. Neal knows where I live ... seriously. Link to the zipped spreadsheet. Link to the unzipped spreadsheet. ***NOTE: This spreadsheet is only guaranteed to work in current versions of Microsoft Excel.* Current list of features: Perpetual almanac which lists basic data necessary for celestial navigation Sky chart showing traditional nav bodies above the horizon Data series calculator for comparison/analysis DR and sight reduction calculator Position log Great circle route calculator including internal database of ~15,500 cities worldwide Internal delta-T values for dates between 500 BC and AD 2030 Custom delta-T value fields for dates outside the above range - or whenever Only 2MB Some stats: Total Sheets: 18 Cells with data: 180,868 Tables: 4 Formulas: 8,373 Charts: 2 Macros: 26 Days I've been working on it so far: 237 __________________ If you have a question about celestial navigation ... ask me! Celestial Navigation Spreadsheet** Last edited by Sean C; 01-23-21 at 05:51 AM. Reason: Updated links to new version. Updated screenshots. Added info.

01-06-21, 05:06 AM	#2
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,711 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Yeah, hey... ...like, do you know the way to San Jose...?... <O> __________________ __________________________________________________ __

01-06-21, 05:13 AM	#3
Catfish Dipped Squirrel Operative Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ..where the ocean meets the sky Posts: 17,765 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	Hello Nathaniel umm Shawn, i always wanted to ask you since you advertised "ask me" ... seems to be a nice tool ! __________________ >^..^<*)))>{ All generalizations are wrong.

01-06-21, 05:20 AM	#4
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,600 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Its the first chess program I have ever seen that gives out the moves in Longitudes and Latitudes. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

01-06-21, 05:57 AM	#7
Sean C Grey Wolf Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 984 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 2	By the way, there's no reason this spreadsheet can't be used with a flight sim like MSFSX or whatever as well. The route planner includes a database of about 15,500 cities worldwide (many nowhere near water) and will plot the shortest route between any two. The sight reduction calculator should work with aerial observations, as well. There are a couple of minor bugs I have left to kill. (See the bottom of the instructions tab.) And some more features I want to add. I was thinking of making a special edition, too. __________________ If you have a question about celestial navigation ... ask me! Celestial Navigation Spreadsheet

01-06-21, 07:38 PM	#11
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,197 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I've done those calculations by hand back in the day. My left eyelid still twitches every time I think of it! __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

01-07-21, 07:26 PM	#13
Sean C Grey Wolf Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 984 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 2	FYI: It seems my spreadsheet may lose functionality or output incorrect data if opened with a program other than MS Excel. First post updated. __________________ If you have a question about celestial navigation ... ask me! Celestial Navigation Spreadsheet

01-09-21, 05:30 AM	#14
Sean C Grey Wolf Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 984 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 2	Update! Bug fixes/changes: There was a bug causing some leap year dates to be calculated incorrectly. I fixed it ... I think. Updated the delta-T values and extended the table into the past just a little. o.O The notes on the Almanac tab did not reflect the changes. I polished them until they did. Should be even more accurate now. (Still only guaranteed to work on Excel, sorry.) See my sig or the first post for the link. Cheers! PS I am going to have that Dionne Warwick song stuck in my head forever now. Thanks, vienna. __________________ If you have a question about celestial navigation ... ask me! Celestial Navigation Spreadsheet Last edited by Sean C; 01-16-21 at 03:20 AM.

01-09-21, 05:57 AM	#15
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,600 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	All nice and well, but the engine still cannot play the Subsim Defence, Skybird variation. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.