 

27

JUN

MARINE SEXTANT INTRODUCTION AND PRINCIPLE

The Marine sextant purpose is to measure angles, either vertical or horizontal to obtain the necessary data to check the
vessels position. Latitude and longitude may be determined by a combination of sextant, chronometer and nautical
almanac readings.

This precision instrument is based on the principle, enunciated by the First Law of Light, that when a ray of light is
reflected from a plane mirror, then “The angle of incidence of the ray equals the angle of reflection”. In the sextant a ray of
light is reflected twice by two mirrors, the index and horizon mirrors, in the same plane. When a ray of light is reflected in
this way by two plane mirrors, then the angle between the direction of the original ray and the direction of the final reflected
ray
is twice the angle between the mirrors (see Figures 1.1 and 1.2 and Plate1).
Principle of Sextant:

The principle of the sextant is based on the fact that twice the angle between the mirrors HAI must equal the angle
between the initial and final directions of a ray of light which has undergone two reflections.

Proof

Let α represent the angle between the mirrors.

Let Φ represent the angle between the initial and final directions of a ray of light.
The required proof is:

2α = Φ
Construction

Extend the ray of light from the object to intersect the reflected ray from the Horizon Mirror H at point L.

Proof of theory

(i)The angle between the mirrors α is equal to the angle between the normals to the mirrors.
(ii)In triangle HIK

β=α+X

and 2β = 2α + 2X

(iii)In triangle HIL

2β = Φ + 2X

Therefore from equation (ii) and (iii)

2α + 2X = Φ + 2X

and 2α = Φ

i.e.twice the angle between the mirrors is equal to the angle between the initial and final directions of a ray of light which
has undergone two reflections in the same plane, by two plane mirrors.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

SEARCH

Enter searchterm & hit enter

NEWS & ACTIVITIES

News
Activities

NEWS & ACTIVITIES

Hard wood for pilot ladder

April 12, 2023

ISO799 Pilot Ladder Requirements

April 9, 2022

Pilot Ladder
 September 28, 2017

Video: Marine Pilot Ladder Production Process

September 27, 2017

What is Radar SART and AIS SART

September 6, 2017

MARINE SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Life Saving Appliance

Fire Fighting Euipment

Navigation & Communication

Nautical Instruments

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Help Center(FAQ)

Claim Report

Request for Distribution

Policy & Rule

Sourcing Agent

Copyright © 2017~2023 Pros Marine for Marine Safety Equipment. All rights reserved.

Home
About Us
Marine Safety Products
Life Saving Appliance
Fire Fighting Equipment
Nav. and Communication
Nautical Instruments
News & Activities
News
Activities
Customer Service
Claim Report
Request for Distribution
Policy and Rule
Sourcing Agent
Contact Us