While modern sailors use high-tech instruments such as sonar and radar, there are many other tools needed for oceanic navigation. Many of these specialty precision instruments are based on early instruments that might be centuries old. Precision crafting has increased their reliability, but the basic designs are still much the same as they were many years ago.
The alidade is a good example of an old device that is still used today by sailors and cartographers. One uses the alidade to find a faraway object and calculate important measurements such as drawing a line on a plane table or perhaps measuring the angle of the object in relation to another point of reference. This is helpful information for those creating maps of either landforms or waterways and the ocean. In addition, the alidade is useful for forest firefighters as it helps them exactly find the location of a fire.
Another tool often used for navigation is the three-arm protractor. This device is often used to help plot the position of a ship on navigational charts, and thus it is often transparent to allow viewing of the map or chart beneath it. The central arm is fixed in place and the other two arms can rotate. This device was invented in the early 19th century and is still used today by navigators.
There are different models of compasses used on ships today. Even with the invention of precise computerized navigational computers, commercial and military vessels still carry compasses, such as a surveyor's compass. They are still used as direction finders and extremely important in case of emergency and possible losses of electricity while at sea.
The first sextant was created by astronomer John Bird in the 1750s, although designs for the device appear several decades early. The sextant is still used today, although those created today have accuracy of 10 seconds of arc or better. One uses the sextant to measure the angles between two celestial objects, and this calculation can be used to find Greenwich Time. Knowing Greenwich Time allows a navigator to pinpoint the longitude of their ship. Typically, measurements are taken at night and the navigator uses the position of the moon in relation to a planet or a star.
Certainly, there are usually sets of binoculars on any boat or ship, but these days there are some extraordinarily high-powered binocular systems mounted to the decks of naval vessels and commercial vessels. These systems are sold containing the binoculars, the pedestal and the carriage assembly, which allows freedom of movement.
The alidade is a good example of an old device that is still used today by sailors and cartographers. One uses the alidade to find a faraway object and calculate important measurements such as drawing a line on a plane table or perhaps measuring the angle of the object in relation to another point of reference. This is helpful information for those creating maps of either landforms or waterways and the ocean. In addition, the alidade is useful for forest firefighters as it helps them exactly find the location of a fire.
Another tool often used for navigation is the three-arm protractor. This device is often used to help plot the position of a ship on navigational charts, and thus it is often transparent to allow viewing of the map or chart beneath it. The central arm is fixed in place and the other two arms can rotate. This device was invented in the early 19th century and is still used today by navigators.
There are different models of compasses used on ships today. Even with the invention of precise computerized navigational computers, commercial and military vessels still carry compasses, such as a surveyor's compass. They are still used as direction finders and extremely important in case of emergency and possible losses of electricity while at sea.
The first sextant was created by astronomer John Bird in the 1750s, although designs for the device appear several decades early. The sextant is still used today, although those created today have accuracy of 10 seconds of arc or better. One uses the sextant to measure the angles between two celestial objects, and this calculation can be used to find Greenwich Time. Knowing Greenwich Time allows a navigator to pinpoint the longitude of their ship. Typically, measurements are taken at night and the navigator uses the position of the moon in relation to a planet or a star.
Certainly, there are usually sets of binoculars on any boat or ship, but these days there are some extraordinarily high-powered binocular systems mounted to the decks of naval vessels and commercial vessels. These systems are sold containing the binoculars, the pedestal and the carriage assembly, which allows freedom of movement.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier likes blogging reviews on precision scientific instruments. For more information about surveying instruments like a compass tripod, or to find other navigation instruments, visit WarrenKnight.com today.
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