The Sextant - AstroMedia
Pre-cut, very sturdy AstroMedia cardboard kit for a fully functional sextant as an introduction to astro-navigation.
Revolution in navigation
Until the introduction of satellite-based systems (GPS), the most important method for determining a location on the high seas was to measure the height of the star above the horizon or the distance between stars as accurately as possible. After the quadrant and astrolabe, Jacob's staff and magnetic compass, a new era in astro-navigation began with the invention of the first mirror sextant. This instrument revolutionised navigation because from then on it was possible to measure, for example, the altitude of the sun with unsurpassed accuracy and speed.
How it works
The principle is ingenious and at the same time amazingly simple: A rotating mirror makes it possible to align an image of the point to be measured with the horizon or another reference point and to read off the distance angle on a scale.
Our bestseller
The Sextant has been one of our bestsellers for over 20 years. It has been tried and tested in practice and scores with a display accuracy of between 5 and 10 minutes of arc. With more than 40,000 copies, it is probably the world's best-selling sextant and offers a brief introduction to the art of navigation.
We recommend the less expensive set - Sextant with Artificial Horizon, Order. No. 244.SXS
You can find a detailed, illustrated construction report here.
If you would like to upgrade your sextant with a telescope, you can download instructions here.
| Aspiration scale: | Medium |
|---|---|
| Time Line: | 2,0 Hours |
pre-cut and printed construction cardboard
for assembly, 4 x DIN A4
with detailed assembly instructions
incl. accessories: mirror and sun filter
Size of the finished sextant: approx. 20 cm wide and 23 cm high
Der Sextant – Deutsch€21.90
€20.81
€19.71
€18.62