Difference between revisions of "SextantNavigation"
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* Note the precise time of noon GMT | * Note the precise time of noon GMT | ||
* Know the local noon time | * Know the local noon time | ||
− | * If local noon is before GMT noon you | + | * If local noon is before GMT noon you are on eastern logitutde |
− | * If local noon is after GMT noon you | + | * If local noon is after GMT noon you are on western logitutde |
Each difference of 4 minutes = 1 degree longitude | Each difference of 4 minutes = 1 degree longitude |
Revision as of 20:02, 15 October 2015
Contents
In the event of an emergency when you lose your navigational electronics it would be useful to know how to navigate using a sextant. The simplest calculation is when you take a sun shot at local apparent noon (LAN).[1] [2]
Tools
- Sextant
- Mechanical clock set to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
- Mechanical clock set to local time
- Celestial Sight Reduction Tables for Marine Navigation tables
Sun Shot at Local Apparent Noon
Latitude
To determine latitude:
- Point the sextant at the horizon
- Look through the tekescope
- Adjust the index mirror with the index bar until the Sun aligns with the horizon
- Read the angle from the arc
- Note the exact time
- Consult a celestial table to calculate the latitude
Longitude
To determine longitude:
- Note the precise time of noon GMT
- Know the local noon time
- If local noon is before GMT noon you are on eastern logitutde
- If local noon is after GMT noon you are on western logitutde
Each difference of 4 minutes = 1 degree longitude