sekstants

A sextant is a navigational instrument used to measure the angle between two visible objects. It is primarily used to determine the angle between the horizon and a celestial body, such as the sun or a star, to calculate latitude. The sextant consists of a frame with a movable arm and a fixed index arm. The frame is mounted on a pivot, allowing the movable arm to be rotated. The index arm is graduated in degrees, and the movable arm has a small mirror at its end. When the sextant is pointed at a celestial body, the mirror reflects the image of the body onto a scale on the frame, allowing the user to measure the angle.

The sextant was invented in the 18th century and has since become an essential tool for navigation, particularly in maritime and aviation. It is a reliable and accurate instrument that does not require electricity or other external power sources. The sextant is also used in astronomy for measuring the positions of stars and other celestial objects. Despite the advent of modern navigation technologies, such as GPS, the sextant remains an important tool for sailors and astronomers, providing a backup method for determining position and time.