Sextant

#Maritime

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Using double reflection, the sextant allows the user to simultaneously observe the horizon and a chosen celestial body, and use those observations to measure the angular distance between them. By working out this angle, the user can determine latitude and longitude.

Unlike other celestial navigation equipment, the sextant can also be used to measure angles in any plane meaning either heavenly bodies or between two objects on the surface of the earth.

As indicated by its name, the sextant’s arc spans 60° allowing for greater accuracy than its predecessors.