Sextant

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This is a Sextant, an instrument that sailors use to calculate their latitude with, by measuring the angle between the Sun or some other star and the horizon. There's no fixed scale yet, so you'll need to print one yourself using this guide: http://www.tecepe.com.br/nav/XTantProject.htm. Use M3 and M2 screws and nuts to hold everything together; glue is also possible but make sure the parts that need to move can actually move! You will also need two 35 x 15 mm Mirrors, ideally made of polished metal so there's no refraction. Overview and Background Idea Learning basic astronomy and understanding how sailors worked on big sailing ships can be a fun experience. The Sextant is an instrument that allows you to calculate your latitude by measuring the angle between the Sun or some other star and the horizon. To use it, you'll need to measure this angle and then calculate your position based on it. Lesson Plan and Activity Useful pages to check http://www.tecepe.com.br/nav/XTantProject.htm http://www.robinsdocksideshop.com/how_to_use_a_sextant.htm http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Sextanthttp://www.clipperlight.com/howusesextant.html