Precision, Measurement & Control
Navigational octant
An octant uses mirrors and a graduated arc to compare a celestial object with the horizon. Its frame spans one eighth of a circle, while the double-reflection principle allows a larger angular range to be measured. The museum disp...
About this artifact
An octant uses mirrors and a graduated arc to compare a celestial object with the horizon. Its frame spans one eighth of a circle, while the double-reflection principle allows a larger angular range to be measured. The museum displays octants and sextants together to explain the development of celestial navigation.
Sources & image credits
Photograph of an illustrative example of this technology. The image does not identify the individual museum exhibit.
Image: Oktant.jpg
Creator:
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
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