This song sounds like it's lamenting the ease of navigation in the modern age.
The "ball of light" is a GPS satellite - invisible to the naked eye.
The people on the shore are using handheld GPS that reflects in their eyes - "in the grid, aware their position."
"Magellan" refers to a specific brand of GPS unit that the narrator uses, seeing his frame in its pool of light and being disappointed that he cannot navigate by intuition.
"9 by 6 or 8 by 7" may refer to some technical aspect of GPS.
There could be other meanings too, but this aspect seems straightforward.
This song sounds like it's lamenting the ease of navigation in the modern age.
The "ball of light" is a GPS satellite - invisible to the naked eye.
The people on the shore are using handheld GPS that reflects in their eyes - "in the grid, aware their position."
"Magellan" refers to a specific brand of GPS unit that the narrator uses, seeing his frame in its pool of light and being disappointed that he cannot navigate by intuition.
"9 by 6 or 8 by 7" may refer to some technical aspect of GPS.
There could be other meanings too, but this aspect seems straightforward.