A surveyor’s artificial horizon is a device developed by London instrument maker John Elton in 1732, this tool (traditionally a tray of mercury but this can be oil, water, or a specialized mirror) allows “for taking altitudes without a horizon.” With the artificial horizon, precise latitude readings may be taken with a sextant when a natural horizon is obscured by fog, mountains, or trees. The user sights both a celestial body (e.g. Polaris) and its reflection, yielding double the actual altitude.


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Regimental Brewmeister
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Published by Michael Carver

My goal is to bring history alive through interactive portrayal of ordinary American life in the late 18th Century (1750—1799) My persona are: Journeyman Brewer; Cordwainer (leather tradesman but not cobbler), Statesman and Orator; Chandler (candle and soap maker); Gentleman Scientist; and, Soldier in either the British Regular Army, the Centennial Army, or one of the various Militia. Let me help you experience history 1st hand!

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