answersLogoWhite

0

To use a false horizon with a sextant, you would need to create an artificial horizon with a still reflecting surface, such as oil in a pan or a small pool of water. You would then line up the celestial body you are measuring with its reflection on the artificial horizon, allowing you to take an accurate sextant reading. This method is useful when the true horizon is obscured or not visible.

User Avatar

AnswerBot

1y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Astronomy

What is the purpose of the horizon shades on a sextant?

The horizon shades on a sextant are used to block out excess light from the sun or other bright sources on the horizon, making it easier to take accurate measurements of celestial objects such as stars or planets. They help to reduce glare and improve visibility when using the sextant for navigation or celestial observations.


What instrument could sailors use to determine their location based on the position of the sun in relation to the horizon?

Sailors could use a sextant to measure the angle between the sun and the horizon. By comparing this angle with known tables, they can determine their latitude at sea.


How does a sextant work?

A sextant is an instrument used in navigation to measure the angle between a celestial body (like the sun or a star) and the horizon. By determining this angle, along with the time of the measurement, a navigator can use trigonometry to calculate their position on the Earth's surface.


How did Lewis and Clark use a sextant?

Lewis and Clark used a sextant to determine their latitude by measuring the angle between the horizon and the sun or a star. This helped them navigate and map their route across uncharted territory during their expedition to the western United States.


Who used the sextant?

Navigating seafarers. in order to ascertain the height in degrees of the Sun above the Horizon at 12 noon. They are still used today , in ships that do not have electronic navigation aids. All navigating seafarers are trained to use a sextant in case of any breakdown in electronic gear on a ship.

Related Questions

What instrument measures the horizon?

A sextant


You can measuring the altitude of a star by measuring the angle between your horizon and the star using a?

We would typically use a sextant to measure the angle of a star above the horizon.


What do you use to measure the angle of a star?

The device that astronomers use to find the angle between the horizon and stars in the sky is called a sextant.


When was the sextant used?

Sextant, instrument for determining the angle between the horizon and a celestial body such as the Sun, the Moon, or a star, used in celestial navigation to determine latitude and longitude. ... The angular distance of the star above the horizon is then read from the graduated arc of the sextant


What is the purpose of the horizon shades on a sextant?

The horizon shades on a sextant are used to block out excess light from the sun or other bright sources on the horizon, making it easier to take accurate measurements of celestial objects such as stars or planets. They help to reduce glare and improve visibility when using the sextant for navigation or celestial observations.


What invention measured the angle between a celestial body and the horizon?

Sextant


What is the function of a sextant?

Sextant is used to measure the angle between any two visible objects.Its primary use is to determine the angle between a celestial object and the the horizon which is also know as objects altitude.


How are sextant and radar alike?

The only similarity would be that you can use both to navigate a ship or an aircraft. Radar equipment can be used to measure the bearing and distance to a known point of land, and you can use a sextant to measure the angle above the horizon to a star or planet.


What instrument could sailors use to determine their location based on the position of the sun in relation to the horizon?

Sailors could use a sextant to measure the angle between the sun and the horizon. By comparing this angle with known tables, they can determine their latitude at sea.


What is the sextant used for?

you use a sextant to navigate.


How does a sextant work?

A sextant is an instrument used in navigation to measure the angle between a celestial body (like the sun or a star) and the horizon. By determining this angle, along with the time of the measurement, a navigator can use trigonometry to calculate their position on the Earth's surface.


How did Lewis and Clark use a sextant?

Lewis and Clark used a sextant to determine their latitude by measuring the angle between the horizon and the sun or a star. This helped them navigate and map their route across uncharted territory during their expedition to the western United States.