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The backstaff is a navigational instrument that was used to measure the altitude of a celestial body, in particular the Sun or Moon. When observing the Sun, users kept the Sun to their back (hence the name) and observed the shadow cast by the upper vane on a horizon vane.
Adapter used to attach a smaller diameter source hose to a larger diameter receiving hose. Indian pump (aka Indian tank) A brand of five-gallon water can, or back-pack bladder, featuring a short hose and hand pump for use in wildland firefighting. Intake Part of pump where water enters when pump forms partial vacuum. In-line eductor
It was replaced by the back staff and later by the octant and sextant. Quadrant A very simple instrument which used a plumb bob. These instruments are also used to measure the angular distance between objects: Octant, invented in 1731. The first widely accepted instrument that could measure an angle without being strongly affected by movement.
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The frame of a sextant is in the shape of a sector which is approximately 1 ⁄ 6 of a circle (60°), [2] hence its name (sextāns, sextantis is the Latin word for "one sixth"). "). Both smaller and larger instruments are (or were) in use: the octant, quintant (or pentant) and the (doubly reflecting) quadrant [3] span sectors of approximately 1 ⁄ 8 of a circle (45°), 1 ⁄ 5 of a circle (72 ...
The only obvious difference is the presence of horizon shades on the Crichton octant that are not on the other. Octant details showing the double-holed sighting pinnula. Also visible is the small cover that can block one or the other of the holes. The horizon mirror is on the opposite side of the instrument.
Eccentric reducers are used at the suction side of pumps to ensure air does not accumulate in the pipe. The gradual accumulation of air in a concentric reducer could result in a large bubble that could eventually cause the pump to stall or cause cavitation when drawn into the pump. Eccentric reducers exhibit a unique design with one side having ...
In navigation the instrument is also called a cross-staff and was used to determine angles, for instance the angle between the horizon and Polaris or the sun to determine a vessel's latitude, or the angle between the top and bottom of an object to determine the distance to said object if its height is known, or the height of the object if its distance is known, or the horizontal angle between ...