How Do You Navigate With A Sextant?
Modern nautical navigators have the luxury of many sophisticated tools, including GPS, to pinpoint their current position and map their way to the next one. Not that long ago, however, navigators sailing on the ocean had to rely on a tool called a sextant, the stars and the horizon, for determining their location. Skill and attention to detail was essential, since one error could result in sailing miles off course. Calibrate for index error. In a perfect situation, the mirrored horizon lines up with the directly observed horizon at 0 degrees. However, this rarely happens and any instrument error needs to be subtracted from or added onto your measurements. Once you line up the horizon through the telescope with the horizon reflected on the mirror, take note of the measurement on the bottom arc. Add the result to your measurements if it is before the 0-degree mark. Subtract it from your measurements if it registers after the 0-degree mark. Determine your points of reference. The first re
