How do you use a sextant to measure the azimuth of the sun?
You don’t. A sextant is used to measure the altitude, not the azimuth. Azimuth is the horizontal angle from north. Here is one set of directions for using one type of sextant to find altitude of the sun. 1. – Point the sextant to the horizon in the direction of the Sun. The horizon is visible at left, through the glass, and also at right, reflected by the two mirrors. The index arm is at the zero position. 2. – Press the clamp to release the index bar. 3. – Rotate the index bar to bring the reflected image of the Sun to the horizon. 4. – The lower limb of the Sun is now almost touching the horizon. Release the clamp and adjust the sun’s position with the micrometer. 5. – Swing the sextant to verify the sun’s position (adjust if necessary). 6. – Read the altitude at the arc scale and micrometer drum.
