DNS Question Answers

BWK
 Briefly explain the principle of marine sextant? (2014, 2016, 2018) 5marks
 Define principle of sextant with ray diagram and geometric proof. (2018) 5marks
 Explain the principle of sextant. Which errors on sextant are correctable and how are they
corrected? (2017) 5marks
 With the help of neat ray diagram & mathematical proof, state the working principle of
marine sextant. How will you take care of the sextant? Give any 5 points which you consider
most important. (2013) 10marks.
 What causes index error in a sextant and how is it checked using the horizon method? (2016)
5marks
Sextant is a precision instrument used for –
 measuring altitudes of celestial bodies and

 horizontal angles between terrestrial objects
 vertical angles of terrestrial objects
Principle of Sextant:
1. When a ray of light is reflected by a plane mirror, the angle of incidence
is equal to the angle of reflection, while the incident ray, reflected ray
and the normal lying in the same plane.
2. When a ray of light, suffers two successive reflections in the same
plane, by two plane mirrors, the angle between the incident ray and the
final ray is twice the angle between the mirrors.
Formulae for Sextant:-

Sextant Formulae
To prove angle S = twice angle Q
a = Q + Q
Q = a – Q
Multiplying by 2, 2Q = 2 a – 2 Q ….. (i)
Again 2 a = 2 Q + S
(Ext. angle = sum of interior opposite angles)
Substituting in (i), 2Q = 2Q + S – 2Q = S
Reading of Sextant:
 When the sextant reads zero, Index mirror and horizon glasses are
parallel to each other.
 When the index bar is rotated through an angle, the angle between the
incident ray and the final reflected ray is twice the angle through which
the index bar was rotated.
 The arc of the sextant is only 60° in extent, but due to the principle of
double reflection, we are able to mark the arc and measure angles upto
120°.
 Micrometer is provided to measure accurate reading upto 0.1°.
Errors of Sextant:
Two types:
 Adjustable errors:
 Error of perpendicularity: - Caused when the index mirror is not
perpendicular to the plane of the sextant.
 Side error:- Caused when the horizon glass is not perpendicular to
the plane of the sextant
 Index error:- When the index bar is set at zero, the plane of the index
mirror and horizon glass are NOT parallel to each other
 Error of collimation: - When the axis of the telescope is not parallel
to the plane of the sextant.
 Non-Adjustable errors:
 Graduation error: - due to inaccurate graduation of the scale on the
arc or of the micrometer/ vernier.
 Shade error: - due to the 2 surfaces of the coloured shades not being
exactly parallel to each other.
 Centering error: - pivot of the index bar not coincident with the center
of the circle of which the arc is a part.
 Optical Error: - may be caused by the prismatic errors of the mirror or
aberrations in the telescope lenses.
 Back-lash: - Wear on the rack and worm, which forms the micrometer
movement, would cause a back-lash, leading to inconsistent errors.
 Index error, how to determine using horizon method:

 During day time, clamp the index bar at zero and holding the sextant
vertically; view the horizon through the telescope.
 If the true horizon and its reflection appear in the same line, Index
error is not present.
 If they appear displaced vertically, turn the micrometer drum till they
are in the same line.
 The micrometer reading then is the index error, which is on the arc if
the micrometer reading is more than zero, off the arc if it is less than
zero.
 How to take proper care of a sextant
 A marine sextant is a precise instrument and should be carefully
handled. Otherwise, it is very easy to damage it which can lead to errors
in later reading.
 Do not hold the marine sextant so tightly that you put pressure on the
index bar and make sure that you never touch the arc.
 After each use, clean the index mirror gently and the horizon glass with
soft cloth.
 When you are finished using it put it back in the box.
 Don’t expose it to direct sunlight as much as possible, or any extreme
condition for that matter.
 Explain the working and principle of an echo sounder?(2016,

2017, 2018) 5marks
 How does echo sounder help navigator? What is Pythagorus
error on echo sounder?(2017) 5marks
 What is the principle of echo sounder? Enumerate the errors of
echo sounder. (2015, 2016) 5marks
 With the help of neat block diagram, explain the working
principle of echo sounder(2013) 5marks

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BWK

Sextant is a precision instrument used for –

 measuring altitudes of celestial bodies and

Formulae for Sextant:-

Multiplying by 2, 2Q = 2 a – 2 Q ….. (i)

(Ext. angle = sum of interior opposite angles)

 Index error, how to determine using horizon method:

 Explain the working and principle of an echo sounder?(2016,

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