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What is a backstaff?

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Bobo192

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10y ago
Updated: 9/25/2023

A backstaff is a an early navigational instrument for measuring the altitude of the sun and hence calculating latitude.

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How do you determine longitude and latitude with a chronometer and backstaff?

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Who invented the back staff?

"Captain John Davis invented a version of the backstaff in 1594"


How does a backstaff work?

A backstaff is a navigational instrument used to measure the altitude of the sun. It consists of a graduated arc and two vanes, one of which is moved to block the sun's image as it is reflected onto a mirror. By aligning the shadow of the vane with the horizon, sailors can determine the sun's altitude and calculate their latitude.


Is the backstaff still used today?

The backstaff is largely obsolete in modern navigation, having been replaced by more accurate instruments like the sextant and advanced electronic systems such as GPS. However, it may still be used in specific educational contexts or by enthusiasts of traditional navigation methods. While it played a significant role in maritime navigation during the 17th and 18th centuries, its practical application today is minimal.


What did john Davis invent?

John Davis invented the backstaff and the double quadrant. He is more famous for the double quadrant, which people actually called the Davis quadrant. However, he is more famously known for being an English explorer.


Is an instrument used to measure the position of stars.?

An Astrolabe. See the website www.astrolabe.org,or Wikipedia, or use Google books for a public domain encyclopedia. I own an old encyclopedia britannica, the 1903 edition and love it for answering questions such as this, or those related to woodworking, carpentry, masonry, or industrial machinery; e.g. what does an automatic pattern knitting machine or a jacquard loom look like?.historically several instruments were used to measure this angle, they include the quadrant, cross staff, the backstaff and the mariner's astrolabe.


What tools did Pedro Cabral use?

Pedro Álvares Cabral, a Portuguese explorer, would have used a variety of navigational tools during his voyages in the early 16th century. These tools likely included the astrolabe, a navigational instrument used to determine the altitude of the sun or stars; the compass, for determining direction relative to magnetic north; and nautical charts, which provided information about coastlines, landmarks, and navigational hazards. Additionally, Cabral's crew would have used tools such as the quadrant, cross-staff, and backstaff for celestial navigation to determine their latitude at sea.