• Explain the use of sextant

TOPIC 1.1 , its principle and errors

Bridge Eqpt Sextant

• What does the

instrument look
like ?
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Bridge Eqpt Sextant

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Sextant – Parts

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Sextant – Parts

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Sextant – What is it used for
The sextant is an instrument used to measure angles. Mainly
used at sea, the tool is so named because its arc is one sixth of a
circle – 60 degrees. It adheres to the principle of double
reflection hence it can measure angles up to 120 degrees.
Practically speaking, the arc of the sextant is a little over 60
degrees and therefore the total angle measurable is about 130
degrees. The sextant is used to measure the following:

Vertical Sextant Angle (VSA)

SEXTANT Horizontal Sextant Angle (HSA)
Altitudes
Bridge Eqpt Sextant - Principle
• The optical principle used in a sextant
is this:
• given that a ray of light is reflected
from two mirrors in succession, then
the angle between the first and last
direction of the ray is twice the angle
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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Using

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 Sextant – Optical principle-Ray Diagram
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OFFICIA
L
DIAGRA
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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Principle
• S to M is a ray of light from a celestial body.
• The index mirror of the sextant is at M, the horizon
• glass at F, and the eye of the observer at A. The ray of light
• from S is reflected at mirror M, proceeds to mirror F, where
• it is again reflected, and then continues on to the eye of the
• observer. Geometrically, it can be shown that the altitude of
• the object S (angle ) is two times that of the angle between
• the mirrors (angle ). The graduations on the arc give the
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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Principle

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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Using

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 Sextant – Using
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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Using

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Bridge Eqpt Sextant - Principle

OFFICIAL
DIAGRAM

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 Sextant - Using
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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Horizon mirror

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Bridge Eqpt Sextant - Principle
• A sextant is a doubly reflecting navigation
instrument used to measure altitude or
the angle between any two visible
objects. 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. 60° but it can measure
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angles upto 120° using double reflection
principle.
Bridge Eqpt Sextant - 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. The estimation of this
angle, the altitude, is known as
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sighting or shooting the object, or
taking a sight.
 Sextant – Parts
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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Parts
• Small Mirror Regulation Screw
• The small mirror regulation screw is used to adjust
the horizon mirror.
• Frame
• The frame provides the structure for the other
parts of the sextant.
• Release Levers
• The release levers disengage the index arm, which
SEXTANT holds the sextant in place, from the arc scale,
allowing the index arm to move freely.
Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Parts
• Filter
• The filter is a colored transparent strip that protect
the user's eyes from the sun in a similar manner to
sunglasses.
• Telescope
• The telescope directs the user's eyes to the horizon
glass and magnifies the objects under observation.
• Telescope Clamp
SEXTANT • The telescope clamp is a reinforcing circle that
attaches the telescope to the sextant.
Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Parts
• Eyepiece
• The eyepiece is the lens through which the user looks
through the telescope.
• Telescopic Printing
• The telescopic printing is the tube attaching the eyepiece to
the telescope, which can be twisted for lens adjustment.
• Horizon Glass
• The horizon glass allows the user to look at one object
directly on one side and observe a second object reflected
next to it. One half of the horizon glass is silvered to convert
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the glass portion into a mirror, while the other side is clear
glass.
Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Parts
• Index Plate
• The index plate is a large polished plate reflecting objects
onto the horizon glass.
• Vernier Scale
• The Vernier scale is attached to the index arm, next to the
micrometer drum and indicates tenths of a degree of an
angle.
• Micrometer Drum
• The micrometer drum is attached to the lower end of the
index arm and rotated to make fine adjustments when
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measuring angles, and indicates minutes of a degree of
angle.
Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Parts
• Index Plate
• The index plate is a large polished plate reflecting objects
onto the horizon glass.
• Vernier Scale
• The Vernier scale is attached to the index arm, next to the
micrometer drum and indicates tenths of a degree of an
angle.
• Micrometer Drum
• The micrometer drum is attached to the lower end of the
index arm and rotated to make fine adjustments when
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measuring angles, and indicates minutes of a degree of
angle.
Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Using
• The marine sextant measures the angle between two
• points by bringing the direct image from one point and a
• double-reflected image from the other into coincidence. Its
• principal use is to measure the altitudes of celestial bodies
• above the visible sea horizon. It may also be used to measure
vertical angles to find the range from an object of known
height. The marine sextant can also be used to render a
visual Line of Position (LOP) by turning it on its side to
horizontally measure the angular distance between two
SEXTANT • terrestrial objects.
Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Using
• 1401. Optical Principles of a Sextant

• When a plane surface reflects a light ray, the

angle of re-flection equals the angle of
incidence. The angle between thefirst and final
directions of a ray of light that has undergone
double reflection in the same plane is twice
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the angle the two reflecting surfaces make
with each other.
Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Optical principle
• 1401. Optical Principles of a Sextant

• When a plane surface reflects a light ray, the

angle of re-flection equals the angle of
incidence. The angle between the first and
final directions of a ray of light that has
undergone double reflection in the same plane
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is twice the angle the two reflecting surfaces
make with each other.
Bridge Eqpt Sextant - Reading

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Errors of the Sextant

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 Sextant – Errors
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1 Prismatic
Non adjustable
errors
2 Graduation

3 Centering
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 Sextant – Errors
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1 Perpendicularity error

Adjustable 2 Side error

errors 3 Index error
4 Collimation error
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 Sextant Adjustable errors

Perpendicularity error Index Error

When Index Mirror not When Index and Horizon mirror

perpendicular to the plane of the are not parallel to each other ,
instrument Errors when index arm set to zero

Side error Collimation error

When Horizon Mirror not
When Axis of telescope not
perpendicular to the plane of the
parallel to the plane of the
instrument
instrument
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Errors of the Sextant

Index Error
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 Sextant – Index error
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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Index error

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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Index error

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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Index error

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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Index error

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Sextant – Using

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Sextant – Using

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Sextant – Determining Index error
Take the difference of the two readings and divide by ‘2’ to
give the Index Error, and call it the higher of the two.

37-28= 9 min

9/2= 4.5 min off the

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Sextant – Determining Index error

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Sextant – Determining Index error

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 Sextant – Errors- Index Error
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• Add to
I.E < 0 • Sextant reading

• Subtract from
SEXTANT I.E >0 • Sextant reading
 Sextant – Errors-Index Error
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Is an instrumental error. When looking through a sextant at the horizon
the exact level horizon will seldom be seen to be at 0°.

Horizon is not level

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Third adjustment screw for removing index error
 Sextant – Errors-Index Error
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Is an instrumental error. When looking through a sextant at the horizon
the exact level horizon will seldom be seen to be at 0°.

Horizon is not level

Sextant set at zero –

SEXTANT horizon split
 Sextant – Errors- Index Error
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Is an instrumental error. When looking through a sextant at the horizon
the exact level horizon will seldom be seen to be at 0°.

Horizon is level

Index error
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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Index error

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 Sextant – Index Error
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 Sextant – index error
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 Sextant – Index error
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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Index error

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 Sextant – Index Error
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SEXTANT Index error No Index error

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Sextant – Index error

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Sextant – Index error

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Sextant – Index error
example :
measurement no. 1 reading : +18,5’
measurement no. 2 reading : - 13,5’
index error = (algebraic sum of the
measurements) / 2
index error + 2,5’.….correction for index error :
-2,5’ (the opposite of +2,5’)
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(18.5 +13.5)/2= 18.5-16= 2.5
16
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Sextant – Index error
If the error is less than 0° it should be added to
whatever reading is obtained - if more
subtracted.

the “index error” must be removed or reduced

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using the adjusting screw on the horizon mirror
(adjusting screw no. 2).
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Errors of the Sextant

Index error
error-2

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Bridge Eqpt Index Error

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Bridge Eqpt Index Error

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Bridge Eqpt Index Error

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Errors of the Sextant

Perpendicularity
error

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 Sextant – Perpendicularity Error-
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This is caused due to the index glass not being perpendicular to the plane
of the instrument.

How to correct

clamp the index bar about the middle of the arc, and holding the sextant
horizontally, with the arc away from you, look obliquely into the index
mirror till the arc of the sextant and its reflection on the index mirror are
seem simultaneously. If in alignment, the error does not exist.
SEXTANT If not, turn the adjustment 1st screw at the back of the index glass, until
they are aligned
 Sextant – Perpendicularity Error
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 Sextant – Perpendicularity Error
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Sextant – perpendicularity error

Adjustment screw for

perpendicularity
error
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 Sextant – Perpendicularity Error
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 Sextant – Perpendicularity Error
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 Sextant – Perpendicularity Error
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This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

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Errors of the Sextant

Side error

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 Sextant – Side Error
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This is caused by the horizon glass not being perpendicular to the plane of
the instrument.

How to correct

Clamp the index bar at 0 degree 0.0’. Hold the sextant vertically and look
at the heavenly body. Turn the micrometer one way and then the other,
while looking at the body. The reflected image of the body will move
above and below the direct image and should pass exactly over it. If the
reflected image passes to the left or right of the direct image, side error
SEXTANT exists. This error can be removed by turning the second adjustment screw
(the top screw behind the horizon glass) until the true and reflected
horizons appear in the same line.
 Sextant – Side error
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No side error Side error

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 Sextant – Side Error
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 Sextant – Side error
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SEXTANT 2nd Adjustment screw for adjusting error

 Sextant – Side Error
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 Sextant – Side error
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SEXTANT 2nd Adjustment screw for adjusting error

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Errors of the Sextant

Collimation error

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Bridge Eqpt
Sextant – Collimation error

This is due to the axis of the telescope not being

parallel to the plane of the instrument. The
telescope is attached to the sextant in such a
manner that it cannot tilt. These modern sextants
are therefore not provided with any collimating
screws
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Bridge Eqpt
Sextant – Collimation error

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 Sextant adjustment screws

1st> adjustment screw Error of perpendicularity

2nd> adjustment screw Side Error

3rd> adjustment screw Index error

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Errors of the Sextant

Non adjustable
errors

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Sextant – Non adjustable error

Shade Error:
The shades should be so mounted that their glass surfaces are
normal to the rays of light passing through them. If not,
distortion would result. The greater number of shades used, the
greater the chances of distortion.
Optical Errors:
Caused by prismatic errors of the mirrors or aberrations in the
telescope lens Wear on the rack and worm: This causes back-
SEXTANT lash, leading to inconsistent errors. Wearing down of the worm
can be due to lack of lubrication, presence of dust particles,
careless handling
Bridge Eqpt
Sextant – Non adjustable error

Graduation Error:
Due to the inaccurate graduation of the main scale on
the arc or of the micrometer/vernier
Centering Error:
Caused if the pivot of the index bar is not situated at
the geometric center of the arc. This can be caused due
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 Sextant - Errors
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 Sextant - Errors
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For removing
Perpendicularity
error

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 Sextant - Errors
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Errors of the Sextant

Other errors

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 Sextant – Errors- Dip
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To apply a “dip correction” for the height of the eye:
Apply a correction as shown in the table below. Dip correction increases
as the eye is raised further above the surface of the water.

Dip correction must always be subtracted from the sextant reading.

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 Sextant – Errors- Parallax
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Parallax corrections are needed if the

observed body is a planet, the sun or
the moon.
From the Almanac.

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 Sextant – Errors- Refraction
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Refraction is extracted from the Nautical Almanac.

It allows for the "bending" of light rays as they
travel through successive layers of varying density
air.

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 Sextant – Errors- Semi diameter
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Semi-diameter correction is needed if the

observed body is the sun or the moon. In this
case either the top or bottom of the celestial
object (known as upper or lower limb) is made
to touch the horizon. To obtain the centre of the
body this correction is applied - from the
SEXTANT Almanac.
 Sextant – Parts
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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Using

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 Sextant – Parts
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 Sextant – Parts
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 Sextant – Using it correctly
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1>Always check the errors before use
2>Focus the telescope while looking at the horizon and make a
mark on the circumference of the stem
3>During use, hold the sextant steady. For this, stand with feet
slightly apart for balance with hands holding the sextant steady
4>While observing the altitude of a celestial body, remember to
swing the sextant to the other side, The body will appear to
move along the arc. Measure altitude at the lowest point on this
arc
5>Stand as close as far as practicable to the centerline of the
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 Sextant – Using it correctly
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6>Use appropriate dark shades while observing the sun
7>If back lash error exists remember to rotate the micrometer in one
direction direction only
8>Altitudes of stars and planets should be taken during twilight
9>Night time sextant observations should be avoided so far as
practicable. The strong moonlight gives the illusion of a good horizon
which is most probably false
10>While observing the HSA, set index at zero, look at the object on the
right through the telescope, gradually swing the index barround and
finish while facing the object on the left
11>When measuring VSA, look at the top of the object, set index at zero
SEXTANT and look at the top of the object. VSA = height of the object in meters
1852 X Tan VSA
Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Using

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Bridge Eqpt Sextant – Principle
• When a ray of light suffers deflection
from two mirrors in the same plane,
• The angle between the original incident
ray and the final emergent ray is twice
the angle between the two mirrors in
the same plane
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Sextant
revision
 Sextant – Official diagram
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 Slide Title

Product A Product B
• Feature 1 • Feature 1
• Feature 2 • Feature 2
• Feature 3 • Feature 3