A sextant is a doubly reflecting navigation instrument that measures the angular distance between two visible objects. The primary use of a sextant is to measure the angle between an astronomical object and the horizon for the purposes of celestial navigation.

Sextant, made by Jesse Ramsden, last quarter of 18th century. The sextant became the symbol of navigation. The instrument is named for its scale—60 degrees or 1/6th of a circle—and can measure even greater angles than the octant.

Sextant, made by Jesse Ramsden, last quarter of 18th century. The sextant became the symbol of navigation. The instrument is named for its scale—60 degrees or 1/6th of a circle—and can measure even greater angles than the octant.

A sextant is used to measure the altitude of a celestial body above a horizontal line of reference.

2024年1月29日 · Sextant is an essential tool for celestial navigation and is also used by mariners to measure the angle between the horizon and a visible object (or two objects at sea). Hold the sextant vertically and point it in the direction of the celestial body.

2024年12月3日 · 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 device consists of an arc of a circle, marked off in degrees, and a movable radial arm pivoted at the centre of the circle.

The constellation Sextans represents the astronomical sextant used by Johannes Hevelius to compile one of the first accurate star maps. The Sudarium Veronicae, the face-cloth used to mop the sweat from the face of Jesus, is often referred to as a napkin on the internet.

In modern times the navigator's sextant has become widely recognized as a universal nautical symbol. Indeed the sextant and the magnetic compass were the two basic tools of navigation on the high seas for more than two centuries.

Here you find all the symbols and abbreviations used in the the Easy sextant worksheet with a link to the explanations.

The sextant is a navigational instrument used to measure angles. In celestial navigation, it measures the angle between the horizon and a celestial body (the sun, moon, planets or stars), and in terrestrial navigation, it measures the angle …