Deathlands Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Sextant

A Sextant

A sextant is an instrument used to measure the angle between any two visible objects.

Its primary use is to determine the angle between a celestial object and the horizon which is known as the object's altitude. Using this measurement is known as sighting the object, shooting the object, or taking a sight and it is an essential part of celestial navigation. The angle, and the time when it was measured, can be used to calculate a position line on a nautical or aeronautical chart.

Common uses of the sextant include sighting the sun at solar noon and sighting Polaris at night (in the Northern Hemisphere), to find one's latitude. Sighting the height of a landmark can give a measure of distance off and, held horizontally, a sextant can measure angles between objects for a position on a chart.[1] A sextant can also be used to measure the lunar distance between the moon and another celestial object (e.g., star, planet) in order to determine Greenwich Mean Time which is important because it can then be used to determine the longitude.

Deathlands

On the Cover of Crater Lake, Ryan is shown using one, however he does not do so within the novel. JB Dix kept one concealed within one of his many pockets, he could calculate his position anywhere on earth within a relatively short time.

Advertisement