Almanac and Celestial Navigation Calculator

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.

Sean C · 01-16-21, 03:17 AM

Links have been updated in the first post. Or, see my sig.

Bug fixes/changes:

Fixed the bug preventing the sight reduction cells from clearing correctly ... I think.
Delta-T values are now interpolated for dates between table entries. This will have the most noticeable effect on really old dates which cannot be completely trusted anyway.
Added a note about compatibility issues. We're just not right for each other. (LibreOffice, not you - you're cool.)
Discovered the "Application.ScreenUpdating" VBA object. The spreadsheet generally runs more smoothly after a liberal application to the macros (as you do).
Added a nifty sky chart showing the positions of all visible traditional navigational bodies for the currently selected time and location which isn't quite what I intended, but looks pretty cool nonetheless.

I still want to add Sunrise/set/twilight times. And maybe even some other calculators such as "Time Sights" and "Lunars". We'll see ...

Enjoy!

Sean C.

01-06-21, 05:57 AM	#1
Sean C Grey Wolf Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 913 Downloads: 12 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	#5
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 22,712 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	#7
Sean C Grey Wolf Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 913 Downloads: 12 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	#8
Sean C Grey Wolf Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 913 Downloads: 12 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	#9
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 40,648 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	All nice and well, but the engine still cannot play the Subsim Defence, Skybird variation. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

01-16-21, 03:17 AM	#10
Sean C Grey Wolf Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 913 Downloads: 12 Uploads: 2	Update! Links have been updated in the first post. Or, see my sig. Bug fixes/changes: Fixed the bug preventing the sight reduction cells from clearing correctly ... I think. Delta-T values are now interpolated for dates between table entries. This will have the most noticeable effect on really old dates which cannot be completely trusted anyway. Added a note about compatibility issues. We're just not right for each other. (LibreOffice, not you - you're cool.) Discovered the "Application.ScreenUpdating" VBA object. The spreadsheet generally runs more smoothly after a liberal application to the macros (as you do). Added a nifty sky chart showing the positions of all visible traditional navigational bodies for the currently selected time and location which isn't quite what I intended, but looks pretty cool nonetheless. I still want to add Sunrise/set/twilight times. And maybe even some other calculators such as "Time Sights" and "Lunars". We'll see ... Enjoy! Sean C. __________________ If you have a question about celestial navigation ... ask me! Celestial Navigation Spreadsheet Last edited by Sean C; 01-16-21 at 03:34 AM.