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 is one of the oldest navigation instruments used by mariners, its called sextant because its arc is 1/6th of a circle i.e The estimation of this angle, the altitude, is known as sighting or shooting the object, or taking a sight
Sextant instrument navigation Banque de photographies et d’images à haute résolution - Alamy
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.
In modern usage the term is applied to all modern.
Learn how this timeless instrument works and its relevance in modern maritime and aviation practices 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 between two charted objects (lighthouses, piers, etc.). A sextant is a doubly reflecting navigation instrument used to measure altitude or the angle between any two visible objects
