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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 animation illustrates the use of a marine sextant at sea, for measuring the altitude of the Sun above the horizon. This information, coupled with the knowledge of the exact time and the position of the Sun in the celestial sphere at the moment of the observation, allows the determination of a line of position, with an accuracy of about 1-2 nautical miles
A detailed and precise diagram adding significant value to the article about the sextant. The drawing is geometrically consistent and accurate, in the sense that a real instrument could be based on it. A simplified "working" version was used in this FP animation. Articles this image appears in Sextant Creator Joaquim Alves Gaspar
Using the sextant to measure the altitude of the Sun Using the sextant to measure the altitude of the Sun - edit 1 Using the sextant to measure the altitude of the Sun - edit 2. This is a didactic animation to illustrate the use of the marine sextant to measure the Altitude (astronomy) of the Sun at sea. A detailed explanation of the frames is ...
The first known mural sextant was constructed in Ray, Iran, by Abu-Mahmud al-Khujandi in 994. [1] To measure the obliquity of the ecliptic, al-Khujandī invented a device that he called al-Fakhri sextant (al-suds al Fakhrī), a reference to his patron, Buwayhid ruler, Fakhr al Dawla (976–997).
Sextans is a medium sized constellation bordering Leo to the north, touching on Hydra to the southwest, and Crater to the southeast. The recommended three-letter abbreviation for the constellation, as adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1922, is "Sex". [2]
A diagram of a typical nautical sextant, a tool used in celestial navigation to measure the angle between two objects viewed by means of its optical sight. Celestial navigation, also known as astronavigation, is the practice of position fixing using stars and other celestial bodies that enables a navigator to accurately determine their actual current physical position in space or on the ...
Spencer, Browning & Rust quintant sextant or lattice sextant at the United States Geological Survey Museum. One of the oldest items in the collection of the United States Geological Survey Museum is a quintant sextant or lattice sextant (pictured) that was manufactured by Spencer, Browning & Rust. The sextant dates from the 1820s to 1850s. [9]