Sextant a sextant a sextant is a doubly reflecting navigation instrument that measures the angular distance between two visible objects 60° but it can measure angles upto 120° using double reflection principle The primary use of a sextant is to measure the angle between an astronomical object and the horizon for the purposes of celestial navigation.
A sextant is a navigation instrument used to measure the angles between celestial bodies and the horizon Sextant is one of the oldest navigation instruments used by mariners, its called sextant because its arc is 1/6th of a circle i.e It works by aligning the index mirror with the celestial body and reflecting its image onto the horizon mirror.
The device consists of an arc of a circle, marked off in degrees, and a movable radial arm pivoted at the A sextant is a crucial tool for measuring angles between celestial bodies and the horizon, essential for accurate celestial navigation. The meaning of sextant is an instrument for measuring angular distances used especially in navigation to observe altitudes of celestial bodies (as in ascertaining latitude and longitude). A sextant is a doubly reflecting navigation instrument used to measure altitude or the angle between any two visible objects