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Old 01-06-21, 04:01 AM   #1
Sean C
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radar 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


























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Last edited by Sean C; 01-23-21 at 05:51 AM. Reason: Updated links to new version. Updated screenshots. Added info.
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Old 01-06-21, 05:06 AM   #2
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Yeah, hey...

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





<O>
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Old 01-06-21, 05:13 AM   #3
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Hello Nathaniel umm Shawn,
i always wanted to ask you since you advertised "ask me" ... seems to be a nice tool !
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Old 01-06-21, 05:20 AM   #4
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Its the first chess program I have ever seen that gives out the moves in Longitudes and Latitudes.
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Old 01-06-21, 05:35 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Catfish View Post
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!
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Old 01-06-21, 05:37 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skybird View Post
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.
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Old 01-06-21, 05:57 AM   #7
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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.
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Old 01-06-21, 02:56 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean C View Post
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?
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Old 01-06-21, 07:09 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ET2SN View Post
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!
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Old 01-06-21, 07:19 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean C View Post
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.
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Old 01-06-21, 07:38 PM   #11
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I've done those calculations by hand back in the day. My left eyelid still twitches every time I think of it!
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Old 01-07-21, 03:42 AM   #12
Sean C
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ET2SN View Post
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.




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Old 01-07-21, 07:26 PM   #13
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FYI: It seems my spreadsheet may lose functionality or output incorrect data if opened with a program other than MS Excel.


First post updated.
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Old 01-09-21, 05:30 AM   #14
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bullhorn 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.
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Last edited by Sean C; 01-16-21 at 03:20 AM.
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Old 01-09-21, 05:57 AM   #15
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All nice and well, but the engine still cannot play the Subsim Defence, Skybird variation.








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