sextant question (x-mas present)

[bandit86]

my little guy gave me a bronze pocket mini sextant, I wanted one so it worked out great, but I'm trying to figure out how to use it. I cant get an exact horizon as there are hills and forests near by.

I can understand that out on sea it's easy to get a horizon, but why not have a sight glass for the sun and a plumb line, wouldn't that be a lot easier? as long as one looks up at the sun or star, the plumb line will always give you an exact line to work with?

Or is there some other reason I dont get?

 

[sasto]

Re: sextant question (x-mas present)

There are a couple different designs today. Depends on the type you have. But regardless, you can use an artificial horizon in which a bubble level is used. Some sextants have a level built in. Exact anything is difficult to achieve with your sexton, imagine how hard it is at sea in big waves.

Enjoy it, it may become a fun hobby for you, was for me till those things called Loran and GPS came around. I still like to play with them.

Merry Christmas, Captain, what's your bearing?

 

[bandit86]

Re: sextant question (x-mas present)

supposed to be 43.050deg north and W81.0469 but have not seen the sun in days, so it may have changed

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: sextant question (x-mas present)

Those coordinates are near Three Bridges as per Google Earth Cobbles Hill Rd ?

 

[bandit86]

Re: sextant question (x-mas present)

sorry bout that, the exact is N43.0441 w 81.409 I copied wrong.

 

[bandit86]

Re: sextant question (x-mas present)

so, I found this site that lists sunset, sunrise and expected readings.

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=1185&month=12&year=2010&obj=sun&afl=-11&day=1

looks like actual noon is at 12:26. I sighted the sun in the eye piece, brought up the horizon to a hair above the treeline half a mile away, I got exactly 43degrees, which I'm supposed to be at. I'm 43.043 according to google earth.

Problem: winter solstice, I'm supposed to be 23.5 degrees away from there, no? I should have read closer to 23 which the site says. Ideas? I still think the Earth has tilted on the axis

 

[sasto]

Re: sextant question (x-mas present)

The refraction correction is not used (very little) at anything above 25 degrees. Is this what you are refering to?

Did you use the sextant to detirmine noon or a locally published one?

 

[bandit86]

Re: sextant question (x-mas present)

I went by locally established time. What is the refraction correction?

 

[sasto]

Re: sextant question (x-mas present)

Try this.....www.madinstro.net/sundry/navsext.html

 

[bandit86]

Re: sextant question (x-mas present)

good site, just tried it and mine is out, surprise, 23 degrees

Just zeroed it in, gotta wait for the sun to come up

 

[eastont]

Re: sextant question (x-mas present)

good site, just tried it and mine is out, surprise, 23 degrees

Just zeroed it in, gotta wait for the sun to come up

And that could be a very long time........clouds forecast for the next 2 weeks according to Weather Network.

My dad was a sailor and knew how to use a sextant, compass and charts. He used it every time we were out on Lake Huron....unfortunately I was either too impatient, or too stupid to learn how to use it. I came into Grand Bend when I should have been coming into Port Franks, or many other places. I thought I could use the landscape as a guide.
When he was navigating, we came right to where we wanted.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: sextant question (x-mas present)

Isn't it funny how dad's always know more than we do!!! My son is finally figuring that out! just like I did.