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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.

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lenpollock

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7mo ago

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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 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 1700th century explorers used the sextant?

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.


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.

Related Questions

What is the sextant used for?

you use a sextant to navigate.


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 tool is used to determine the place of star?

Sextant.


What was Lewis and clarks most used weapons?

the 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 can you find out about sextant?

you can find sextant on history.com


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.


How do you draw a sextant?

you draw a sextant by looking at googler in the images.


What is a sextant box?

A sextant box is a protective case designed to store and transport a sextant, a navigational instrument used to measure the angle between celestial objects and the horizon. Typically made of durable materials, it ensures the sextant is safeguarded from physical damage and environmental elements. The box often includes compartments for additional accessories, such as a sighting telescope or a polishing cloth. Proper storage in a sextant box helps maintain the accuracy and longevity of the instrument.