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Sextant: Presented By: 2/M Jester B. de La Cruz

A sextant is a navigational tool used to measure the angle between two visible objects, such as a celestial body and the horizon. It consists of a graduated arc and other parts like an index arm, mirrors, and telescope. A navigator uses a sextant to measure altitudes of celestial objects and determine their position via sight reduction tables. Learning to use a sextant is important as a backup navigation method in case of GPS failure. The document outlines the key parts of a sextant and procedures for taking accurate sight measurements.

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Jester De la cruz
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156 views32 pages

Sextant: Presented By: 2/M Jester B. de La Cruz

A sextant is a navigational tool used to measure the angle between two visible objects, such as a celestial body and the horizon. It consists of a graduated arc and other parts like an index arm, mirrors, and telescope. A navigator uses a sextant to measure altitudes of celestial objects and determine their position via sight reduction tables. Learning to use a sextant is important as a backup navigation method in case of GPS failure. The document outlines the key parts of a sextant and procedures for taking accurate sight measurements.

Uploaded by

Jester De la cruz
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SEXTANT

PRESENTED BY: 2/M JESTER B. DE LA CRUZ


At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:

1. Define and Understand the Importance of


Sextant
2. To know the functions of the different
Parts of Sextant
3. To understand different errors and sextant
readings.
What is SEXTANT?
A navigational instrument that is
used for measuring the angle
between two visible object (angle
between a celestial body and the
horizon)
WHAT IS HORIZON?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqXm78OXjYQ
Sextant Altitude
The altitude of the heavenly body (e.g. sun) from the
observer's true position is measured using a sextant.
This is called the sextant altitude, and has to
undergo several corrections before the true altitude
can be obtained.
Should You Get a Plastic or
Metal Sextant?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2xAqww_X_U
HOW TO READ A SEXTANT?
PARTS OF SEXTANT
Sextant Tutorial:
The Principle of the Sextant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPeFwyscf1A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ZEIZsl5xk
DEFINITION OF PARTS
SEXTANT is consist of FRAMES in w/c the various parts are attached.

Graduated Arc - Indicates the number of degrees of an angle.

 Index arm – Pivots at one end to allow the attached index mirror to reflect
an object onto the horizon glass and swings along the arc scale on the
other end to indicate what the angle measures. It is a type of ruler that
determines direction or measures an angle.

Micrometer drum – Rotates to make fine adjustments when measuring


angles and indicates minutes of a degree of angle. It is attached to the
lower end of the index arm. One complete rotation moves the index arm 1°
along the arc scale. The drum has 60 graduations, each representing1' of
arc.
Vernier scale – Indicates tenths of a degree of angle. It is
attached on the index arm adjacent to the micrometer
drum and has 10 graduations, each representing 0.1’ of
arc.

Index mirror – large polished plate that Reflects objects


onto the horizon glass.

Horizon glass – Allows the observer to view one object


directly on one side while observing a second object
reflected next to it. The half of the horizon glass next to
the frame is silvered to make that portion of the glass a
mirror; the other half is clear glass. It is a small polished
glass plate that reflects light.
Telescope – Directs the line of sight of the
observer to the horizon glass and magnifies the
objects observed.

Telescope clamp - reinforcing circle.

Eyepiece - lens the user looks through. 

Telescope printing - lens adjustment.


Filters – a colored transparent substance that
protects the observer’s eyes when viewing the Sun.

Release levers – Disengages the index arm from


the arc scale to allow the index arm to move freely. It
holds the sextant in place. 

Frame - structure that serves as the base for the


different parts of the sextant. 

Screw to regulate small mirror - piece of metal


used to adjust the horizon mirror.
Sextant Tutorial:
Errors and Corrections

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6Vxq1v31-A
ERRORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
A SEXTANT
There 3 kinds of error and these are :
1. Eccentric error - due to failure to pivot the
index bar exactly the curvature of the limb.
2. Error of Graduation – either the limb or the
vernier may have a slight imperfection in
graduation
3. Priamatic error of mirror and shade of glasses
– due to lack of parallelism of the two faces or
their non-perpendicularity to the limb.
ADJUSTMENTS OF THE SEXTANT
REMEMBER :

There are only 4 procedures


and it must be carried out in the
following order.
1. The index glass should be perpedicular to the
plane of the limb

2. The horizon glass should be perpendicular to the


plane of the limb

3. The horizontal glass should be parallel to the


index glass when the index arm is at zero 0 .

4. The line of collinatioun or center line of the


telescope should be parallel to the plane of the
limb
WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED?

CELESTIAL BODY
HORIZON
NAUTICAL ALMANAC
CLOCK
SIGHT REDUCTION TABLE
CHARTING TOOLS
PLOTTING SHEETS
CELESTIAL BODY – a view of the sun, moon, star
and or planet.

HORIZON – A 5-mile view over water is best. But


the davis artificial horizon will work well for training
and practice in you backyard or from a sunlit
(illuminated by direct light from the sun) window
NAUTICAL ALMANAC – a book of data, updated
yearly, that defines the position of the celestial body
above the earth

CLOCK – an accurate timepiece such as an


electronic or digital watch

SIGHT REDUCTION TABLE - a book containing


tables and a step-by-step method to simplify the
calculation of your position
CHARTING TOOLS – a pair of dividers for
measuring distances and another instrument for
drawing lines and angles such as a course plotter or
parallel rules. Davis offers a charting kit that has
everything you need

PLOTTING SHEETS – the final step in finding your


position requires some simple plotting. Pre-printed
sheets make this easier.
WHY DO YOU NEED TO LEARN ON
HOW TO USE A SEXTANT?

It can be use as an alternative to determine your


position (it may not be that exact, but it can give you
almost the right or the same position that the GPS
may gave you.
READING ON THE ARC
Read on the limb the degrees and the number of
minutes indicated by the limb graduation just to the
right of the index mark from zero degrees . Then
glance along the vernier until some graduation mark
on the vernier coincide with a mark on the limb, and
read the number of minutes and the fraction of a
minute indicated by this mark to the left. Add this
vernier reading to the number of degrees and
minutes previously read on the limb.
READING OF THE ARC
When reading is made “ off the arc “ that is when the
index of the vernier stands to the right of the zero mark
on the limb the procedure is as follows :

- Read on the limb the number of degrees and minutes


from the zero mark of the graduation just to the left of
the index mark. Add to this reading the numbers of
minutes and the fraction of a minute on the vernier
towards the right from the mark at the left end of the
vernier graduation that coincides with the limb
graduation
READING OF MICROMETER
SEXTANT

1. Read the number of degrees to the right


of the index at the bar.

2. Read the additional minutes and fraction


of a minute indicated on the drum to he
micrometer index, then add this reading
INDEX ERROR
Small lack of parallelism of the
horizon glass introduced an error
known as the index error.
The adjustment for perpendicular
must be accurately made.
HOW TO DETERMINE INDEX ERROR ?

By the horizon

By a star

By the sun


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFm6O8bDA94
TAKING SIGHTS WITH A SEXTANT

Sextant Tutorial:
Taking Sights With A Sextant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wKhsOQlmCY&lis
t=RDCMUCaHOGB9VGllU8wlu2bF4RGA&index=2

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