dawson Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Has anyone ever used one, or know how to celestial navigate? James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Yup - I think Walter Raleigh did lol (Oh and Lord Nelson too hehe!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Have a look at an Astrolabe, this predated the sextant by centuries. The best ones came from the Middle East, and would also let you locate stars and planets, some even had moon phases tied into them. Incredible engineering for the time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrolabe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawson Posted July 21, 2013 Author Share Posted July 21, 2013 Blimey. These people were clever and observant! James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 (edited) I just love seeing this sort of tackle Edited July 21, 2013 by petersull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philjay Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 If ever youvare tempted to get one of the nice shiny brass sextants off ebay claiming theycare antique, beware there are loads of chinese and indian copies being missold as old. Some are even distressed to look old in photos but a proper look will show that they are repros and are not functionsl, just decorative. The same goes for the crappy harbourmaster brass scopes that are frequently advertised as antique, one quick close look shows what they are Fleaglass auction site specialises in old scientific instruments and is well worth a look, some lovely stuff on there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tweedledum Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Hi James, Been able to use one and navigate since about 10. My dad used to run a boatyard in north wales, mostly sailed offshore . Then along came all these new fangled devices like Seafix and long distance low frequency radio fix. Usually you plot into a 'cocked hat' where three bearings give a rough area where you may be!!!. Plenty of online resources to help you calculate, And now GPS...Only what happens when your batteries fail... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Good point Phil. I like looking at them, but can't afford them anyway. I can spend hours in a museum marvelling at the real thing. Fleaglass is a very interesting site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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