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Explorers in the 1700s such as James Cook and Antoine de Bougainville used the sextant for celestial navigation during their voyages. This tool helped them determine their position at sea by measuring the angle between the horizon and a celestial body, such as the sun or stars.

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Who invented and used the first sextant?

The sextant was developed in the 18th century, with significant contributions from several inventors. The first practical sextant is attributed to British instrument maker John Hadley, who created a working model around 1730. However, the design was also influenced by earlier navigational instruments such as the quadrant and the astrolabe. The sextant became widely used by sailors for celestial navigation, allowing them to measure the angle between a celestial body and the horizon.


What kinds of navigational instruments did Renissance explorers use?

Renaissance explorers used several key navigational instruments, including the astrolabe, which helped determine latitude by measuring the angle of celestial bodies above the horizon. The compass, essential for orienting direction, became widely used during this period. Additionally, the quadrant and later the sextant enabled more precise measurements of celestial positions. These tools significantly improved navigation, allowing explorers to venture further into uncharted waters.


What kinds of navigational instruments did Renaissance explorers use?

Renaissance explorers used instruments such as the astrolabe, quadrant, compass, and cross-staff for navigation. These tools helped them to determine their position at sea by measuring the position of celestial objects and the horizon. Additionally, they used charts and maps to plot their course and track their progress.


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.


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.

Related Questions

What is the sextant used for?

you use a sextant to navigate.


Who invented and used the first sextant?

The sextant was developed in the 18th century, with significant contributions from several inventors. The first practical sextant is attributed to British instrument maker John Hadley, who created a working model around 1730. However, the design was also influenced by earlier navigational instruments such as the quadrant and the astrolabe. The sextant became widely used by sailors for celestial navigation, allowing them to measure the angle between a celestial body and the horizon.


What are some of the tools that were used in 16th century?

some of the tools used for exploration were the mariners quadrent, sextant, octant, compass, astrolabe, chronometer, chart weights, and get off your lazy bum and get a job!


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 device was used to determine a ship's latitude?

Sextant


What instrument is used to measure a the angle of a star?

A sextant.


What was Lewis and clarks most used weapons?

the sextant


What tool is used to determine the place of star?

Sextant.


What tools did he use on his journey?

He used a compass and a sextant on his expedition. :)


What device is used to measure the angle of the sun?

A sextant, possibly.


What kinds of navigational instruments did Renissance explorers use?

Renaissance explorers used several key navigational instruments, including the astrolabe, which helped determine latitude by measuring the angle of celestial bodies above the horizon. The compass, essential for orienting direction, became widely used during this period. Additionally, the quadrant and later the sextant enabled more precise measurements of celestial positions. These tools significantly improved navigation, allowing explorers to venture further into uncharted waters.


Why sextant is named so?

The term "sextant" comes from the Latin word "sextans," meaning one-sixth. This refers to the instrument's ability to measure angles up to one-sixth of a circle (60 degrees). The sextant is commonly used in navigation to determine the altitude of celestial bodies.