The word "sextant" is a noun that refers to an instrument used in navigation. It is used to determine ones position with reference to longitude and latitude by measuring the altitude and positions of celestial bodies. The word "sextant" comes from the word New Latin word "sextans" from the Latin word for sixth part. It was named based on the word "sextus" for sixth because a sextant's arch was just a sixth of a full circle.
Sextants were primarily of two types namely air and marine. The latter was used by the navigational personal of marine vessels to determine their position at sea. Air sextants have an artificial horizon built into them and modern ones are attached to a periscope as well. Sextants were delicate and required to be corrected at frequent intervals due to the unstable position of their lenses.
Sextants were primarily of two types namely air and marine. The latter was used by the navigational personal of marine vessels to determine their position at sea. Air sextants have an artificial horizon built into them and modern ones are attached to a periscope as well. Sextants were delicate and required to be corrected at frequent intervals due to the unstable position of their lenses.