Parts of the Marine Sextant

1. The frame. This is either of rigid metal construction or molded plastic. It incorporates three
legs upon which the sextant rests when in the horizontal position. The upper side of the frame is
referred to as the Plane of the instrument. The curved, lower part of the frame is referred to as
the lower limb of the instrument.

2. The handle. The handle is fitted with a button switch and has a compartment for batteries to
power the electric light on the index arm.

3. The telescope or prismatic monocle. This is used to enlarge the observed object and to
make accurate observations easier. The telescope usually has a magnification of 4 X and a field
of view of 5°.

4. The rising piece. The telescope or monocle is attached to the frame by and adjustable slide
or rising piece which is fitted with a milled head quick release screw. By adjusting the rising
piece, the telescope is brought closer to or further from the frame.

5. The arc. If the sextant is of the metal variety, the arc will be constructed of a thin strip of
metal which has a low co-efficient of expansion. It is "let in" flush with the "lower limb" of the
sextant and is graduated from 0° to 120° "on" the arc and from 0° to -5° "off" the arc.

6. The index arm. The index arm is mounted on a circular base plate and is free to rotate on a
central axis underneath the index mirror. The arrow of the index arm is known as the index
mark.

7. The clamp. By exerting finger pressure, the clamp disengages or unclamps the index arm
from the gearing cut into the lower limb of the sextant. The index arm can then be moved to the
required angle.
On releasing pressure, the index arm is automatically clamped in position.

8. The worm and rack. The worm is an endless tangent screw which engages with the rack or
gearing which is cut into the lower limb of the sextant. Exerting pressure on the quick release
clamp disengages the worm from the rack and allows the index arm to be moved.

9. The micrometer drum. While whole degrees are read directly from the arc, minutes of arc
are read from the micrometer drum. Turning the micrometer drum screws the worm along the
rack and permits fine adjustment of an observed angle or altitude
10. The micrometer vernier. The micrometer vernier has five or six graduations which
correspond to 0.2' or 10" of arc respectively. Minutes of arc are read off the micrometer drum
opposite the vernier index mark.

11.The electric light. The light bulb is contained in a special holder so arranged that the light
illuminates the arc, micrometer drum and vernier. It is operated toy pressing the button(s) in the
handle and is useful for taking twilight sights.

12.Index mirror. The index mirror is rectangular in shape and set in a frame attached to the
moveable index arm. When properly adjusted it should be perpendicular to the plane of the
instrument. Its purpose is to reflect light to the horizon mirror:

13. The index mirror clips. These are spring clips that hold the mirror to its frame.

14. Index mirror adjustment screw (first). This is an adjustment screw situated on the center
line of the mirror. By adjusting the screw, the mirror is pushed against the spring clips and
moved to the perpendicular position.

15. The index mirror shades. These shades are made of high-quality optical glass and are
neutral or colored light filters. They are used to reduce the intensity of the sun's reflected image
and to protect the eyes. There are normally four shades.

16. The horizon mirror. This mirror receives the image from the index mirror and reflects it
back to the observer through the telescope. It can be either a. rectangular or circular mirror held
in an appropriate frame.

17. The horizon mirror clips. These are spring clips holding the horizon mirror in its frame.

18. The horizon mirror adjustment screw (second adjustment). This adjustment screw is
situated on the center line of the horizon mirror. It may be at the top or bottom of the mirror,
depending on its design.
It is used to adjust the horizon mirror to the perpendicular position.

19. The horizon mirror adjustment screw (third adjustment). The adjustment screw is
located on the edge of the mirror and is used to adjust the horizon (mirror parallel to the index
mirror when the index arm is set to zero.

20. The horizon mirror shades. These are used to reduce the intensity of a brightly lit horizon
and are similar to the index mirror shades. Two or three horizontal shades are normally fitted.