Sextant vs. Astrolabe

Sextantnoun

(nautical) A navigational device for deriving angular distances between objects so as to determine latitude and longitude.

Sextantnoun

(geometry) One sixth of a circle or disc; a sector with an angle of 60°.

Sextantnoun

(dentistry) One of six groups of adjacent teeth, excluding the wisdom teeth. The front sextants go from canine to canine, and there are sextants on the right and left of these. See w:Periodontal examination.

Sextantnoun

The sixth part of a circle.

Sextantnoun

An instrument for measuring angular distances between objects, - used esp. at sea, for ascertaining the latitude and longitude. It is constructed on the same optical principle as Hadley's quadrant, but usually of metal, with a nicer graduation, telescopic sight, and its arc the sixth, and sometimes the third, part of a circle. See Quadrant.

Sextantnoun

The constellation Sextans.

Sextantnoun

a unit of angular distance equal to 60 degrees

Sextantnoun

a measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant

Sextantnoun

an instrument with a graduated arc of 60° and a sighting mechanism, used for measuring the angular distances between objects and especially for taking altitudes in navigation and surveying.

Sextant

A sextant is a doubly reflecting navigation instrument that measures the angular distance between two visible objects. The primary use of a sextant is to measure the angle between an astronomical object and the horizon for the purposes of celestial navigation.

Astrolabenoun

An astronomical and navigational instrument for gauging the altitude of the Sun and stars.

Astrolabenoun

An instrument for observing or showing the positions of the stars. It is now disused.

Astrolabenoun

A stereographic projection of the sphere on the plane of a great circle, as the equator, or a meridian; a planisphere.

Astrolabenoun

an early form of sextant

Astrolabe

An astrolabe (Ancient Greek: ἀστρολάβος astrolabos; Arabic: ٱلأَسْطُرلاب‎ al-Asturlāb; Persian: ستاره‌یاب‎ Setāreyāb) is an ancient astronomical instrument that was a handheld model of the universe. Its various functions also make it an elaborate inclinometer and an analogue calculation device capable of working out several kinds of problems in astronomy.