Navigate with the Stars: The New Nautical Almanac for 2026

August 19, 2025

In an age of GPS and electronic charts, the time-honored skill of celestial navigation remains an essential art for mariners. It requires precision, knowledge, and a reliable guide. That guide is the Nautical Almanac, a critical resource that continues to serve as the standard for marine navigation. The new Nautical Almanac for 2026 is now available, providing the essential data needed for celestial navigation.

The Nautical Almanac is a powerful tool. It’s an annual treasure trove of astronomical information, published jointly by the U.S. Naval Observatory and the U.K. Hydrographic Office. This indispensable guide includes Celestial Body Positions: Accurate data for the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars. Rise and Set Times: Precise calculations for sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset. Ephemeris Data: Detailed information on planetary and lunar positions. Together, these provide everything you need to plot your position on the open sea, ensuring you can always navigate confidently and precisely.

Beyond the Open Sea

While primarily a resource for navigators, the Nautical Almanac’s applications extend far beyond the maritime world. Amateur astronomers can use it to plan observations, track celestial events, and deepen their understanding of the night sky. Even for those with a casual interest in astronomy, the Almanac offers a fascinating look into the detailed movements of the cosmos. Whether on the water or under the stars, the Nautical Almanac connects you to the timeless art and science of finding your way.

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From the US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Trudy Hawkins is Government Book Talk Editor and Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office, supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

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Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Discover the Cosmos: Astronomical Phenomena 2027 Now Available!

July 11, 2025

Get ready for an awe-inspiring year under the stars in 2027! We are thrilled to announce that the New! Astronomical Phenomena for the Year 2027 publication is now available from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore.

This small, yet incredibly helpful booklet is a must-have for every skywatcher. It contains general interest material preprinted directly from The Astronomical Almanac, a definitive guide published jointly by the U.S. Naval Observatory and His Majesty’s Nautical Almanac Office. Released two years in advance, it gives you a head start on planning your celestial observations.

The Astronomical Phenomena for the Year 2027 is packed with essential information, including:

  • Exact dates for Solar equinoxes, solstices, and phases of the Moon.
  • Detailed eclipse maps, so you can pinpoint the best viewing locations for these spectacular events.
  • Dates for various planetary phenomena, offering insights into when to spot your favorite planets.
  • Visibility and magnitudes of the planets, helping you identify them in the night sky.
  • Dates for some religious and civil holidays, for broader chronological context.
  • Chronological eras and cycles.
  • The equation of time and declination of the Sun.
  • Accurate sunrise/sunset and moonrise/sunset times to perfectly time your observations.
  • The precise position of Polaris, the dependable North Star.

The cosmos has an abundance in store for skywatchers in 2027! From dazzling meteor showers to captivating lunar and solar eclipses and intriguing planetary alignments, this publication provides the precise data you’ll need to mark your calendar. Get ready to witness the magic of events like annual meteor showers that streak across the night sky and the rare beauty of lunar eclipses, where the Moon is transformed by Earth’s shadow.

Be sure to secure your copy of the Astronomical Phenomena for the Year 2027 to ensure you have all the precise dates and times for these and many other celestial occurrences that will surprise and delight you throughout the year.

Happy stargazing!

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Click here to purchase Astronomical Phenomena For The Year 2027

Click here to purchase Nautical Almanac For The Year 2026

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publications and Information Sales Office.

Images and additional content provided by Government Book Talk Editor Trudy Hawkins. Trudy is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

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Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Curious about the Cosmos in 2025? Explore the Astronomical Almanac

April 28, 2025

Calling all astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts! The Astronomical Almanac for the Year 2025 is now available from the U.S Government Bookstore.

The Astronomical Almanac contains a wide variety of both technical and general astronomical information. It is published jointly by the U.S. Nautical Almanac Office at the U.S. Naval Observatory and Her Majesty’s Nautical Almanac Office in the UK, and contains data supplied by many scientists from around the world.

A brief overview of the data available within this yearly updated astronomical resource includes:

  • Phenomena – information on the seasons, phases of the Moon, configurations of the planets, eclipses, etc.                     
  • Time-Scales and Coordinate Systems – calendar information, relationships between time scales, universal, and, sidereal times, Earth rotation angle,
  • Sun – Moon – Planets – detailed positional information,
  • Stars and Stellar Systems – mean places for bright stars, double stars, UBVRI standards,
  • Tables and Data – Julian dates, selected astronomical constants, relations between time scales.

The Astronomical Almanac is an excellent resource for commercial and military travel. It helps ensure safer travel and further assists in navigation by air and sea.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THIS RESOURCE?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publications and Information Sales Office.

Images and additional content provided by Government Book Talk Editor Trudy Hawkins. Trudy is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

4 Comments | Naval Observatory, Science & Technology | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Happy Birthday, U.S. Navy!

October 11, 2023

The United States Navy celebrates its birthday on October 13th each year. This date commemorates the day in 1775 when the Continental Congress authorized the purchase of two armed vessels to attack British ships during the American Revolution. This marked the beginning of the Continental Navy, which later became the United States Navy. In celebration of the many responsibilities of the U.S. Navy, we’re highlighting resources focusing on its role in scientific endeavors supporting military and civil water navigation safety.

The Astronomical and Nautical Almanac are jointly published by the United States Naval Observatory and Her Majesty’s Nautical Almanac Office in the United Kingdom.

The Astronomical Almanac is a comprehensive publication that contains data on a wide range of astronomical phenomena, including the positions of planets, moons, stars, and other celestial objects; the times of eclipses and other events; and information on the Earth’s rotation and motion. It is used by astronomers, navigators, and other scientists for a variety of purposes, such as planning observations, calculating trajectories, and understanding the dynamics of the solar system.

The Nautical Almanac is a subset of the Astronomical Almanac that contains the data needed for celestial navigation. It was first as part of the American Ephemeris and Nautical Almanac and then to provide the US Navy with a convenient form of astronomical data for celestial navigation. This includes the positions of the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets at specific times and dates. This book remains the standard resource for marine celestial navigation for the U.S. Navy and is still used today as a backup to GPS and other electronic navigation systems. Safety on the water is essential whether navigating on a “Dingey” or a massive Naval Carrier.

Here are some ways to celebrate the Navy Birthday:

  • Attend a Navy Birthday celebration at a local Navy base or community center.
  • Fly the Navy flag or wear a Navy shirt.
  • Learn more about the Navy’s history and heritage.
  • Read a book or watch a movie about the Navy.
  • Donate to a Navy-related charity.
  • Thank a Sailor for their service.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, take some time to honor the United States Navy on its birthday.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publications and Information Sales Office.

Images and additional content provided by Government Book Talk Editor Trudy Hawkins. Trudy is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

Leave a Comment » | Naval Observatory, U.S. Navy | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Celebrate Park and Recreation Month

July 18, 2023

Park and Recreation Month is held annually in July to promote the importance of parks and recreation in our communities. And with summer’s longer days, there is no better time to take a stroll, picnic, or pursue other outdoor leisure activities. If you are into astronomy or a star-watching enthusiast, the U.S. Government Bookstore offers publications to help with outdoor recreation activities, such as stargazing.

Before setting out on a night-time adventure under the stars, pick up the Astronomical Almanac, where you can study a wide variety of technical and general astronomical information. It is a worldwide resource for fundamental astronomical data and contains data supplied by many scientists from around the world. The Astronomical Almanac is also an excellent resource for commercial pilots, sailors, and the military to strengthen safer travel and further assist in navigation by both air and sea.

One of life’s great experiences is to find yourself with loved ones in a campground tent, looking up at celestial wonders in a deep blue night sky. Take a trip to outer space by browsing our collection of resources produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), highlighting Earth’s beauty from space through photographic images covering Earth’s wonders.

There are many ways to celebrate Park and Recreation Month in your community:

  • Visit your local park or recreation center
  • Participate in a park and recreation program
  • Volunteer your time to help maintain a park or recreation facility
  • Attend a Park and Recreation Month event
  • Spread the word about the importance of parks and recreation on social media

No matter how you choose to celebrate, Park and Recreation Month is a great opportunity to appreciate the many benefits that parks and recreation provide to our communities.

The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications

HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?

Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.

Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.

Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.  Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov

Visit a Federal depository library: Search for U.S. Government publications in a nearby Federal depository library. You can find the records for most titles in GPO’s Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.

About the author: Blogger contributor Ed Kessler is a Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publications and Information Sales Office.

Images and additional content provided by Government Book Talk Editor Trudy Hawkins. Trudy is the Senior Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Office supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore (https://bookstore.gpo.gov).

Leave a Comment » | NASA, Naval Observatory, Science & Technology | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Trudy Hawkins

Navigating by the Moon, Planets, and Stars

May 14, 2010

The Nautical Almanac is one of the longest-running publications in the Federal Government, dating back to 1852. It’s also one of the most distinctive-looking books I’ve ever seen.  The covers are orange and made of a stiff board-like material, and the cover graphics certainly look like they date back to 1852. Between those covers lie the complex mathematical tables that, “along with the chronometer, the sextant, a steady hand and a keen eye, are the resources needed to navigate by the stars.” Honestly, the contents mean less than nothing to a non-math person, but what images they conjure up for a history person! Old salts striding across a ship’s deck, sextant in hand, getting ready to round the Horn – well, you get the idea.

The Almanac is a unique example of a Government publication produced by two countries – the United States Naval Observatory (USNO) and Her Majesty’s Nautical Almanac Office (HNMAO). Also unique is that the U.S. part of the Almanac is in the public domain, but the British part is under Crown Copyright.

The Nautical Almanac is one of a number of almanacs published by the U.S. Naval Observatory: the Astronomical Almanac, the Air Almanac, and Astronomical Phenomena. Together, they provide a corpus of navigational knowledge that spans the centuries but is still the ultimate backup to the GPS technology of today.

I wonder if they’ll ever change those orange covers?

13 Comments | Naval Observatory, U.S. Navy | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by govbooktalk