The Sextant Handbook

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IntroductionChapter 1 A Short HistoryAstrolabeLatitude HookQuadrantCross StaffBack StaffSextantChapter 2 Elements of the Sextant and Four Vital AdjustmentsPerpendicularityFrame and Index MirrorFrame and Horizon GlassParallelismIndex Mirror and Horizon GlassTelescope and FrameAdjustment ProceduresChapter 3 Attachments and AccessoriesAstigmatizersDouble Star PrismWide View Horizon GlassDavis Prism LevelBubble Horizon AttachmentNeck StrapsVisual AidsChapter 4 Care, Maintenance, and RepairOiling and CleaningImmersion Bath ProceduresHow to HoldWhere to Put DownMounted Sextant BoxesEmergency Silvering TechniquesApplying PaintResilvering Horizon GlassChapter 5 How to Buy a SextantWhere to Find ThemPricesFive Ground Rules to Avoid ProblemsTaking Test SightsInterstellar Test TableDiscovering the Dropped SextantReconditioning CostsChapter 6 Sighting TechniquesInversion for LocationPrecalculating AzimuthsRocking or Swinging an ArcSun's Upper LimbShades for Sun, Moon, and VenusCorrecting for False HorizonRough Weather Sighting TechniquesMaking a MonocleChapter 7 Correcting the SightThe Thirteen ErrorsCorrecting for Moon, Venus, and MarsCorrecting for Wave HeightChapter 8 Timing the Sight AccuratelyThe Hack WatchUsing a Tape RecorderCounting Paces and StopwatchesAttaching Stopwatch to SextantChapter 9 Searching for StarsThe Necessity for PreplanningFinding SunriseUsing the Rude Star FinderConverting Local TimeUsing H.O. Pub. No. 249Making and Using a Wrist BoardChapter 10 Sextants of TomorrowIs the Sextant Doomed?Coming DevelopmentsAppendixesA--Sextant Check ProceduresB--Sextant ManufacturersC--Distribution and DealersD--The Navigator's Basic Tool KitE--Making and Using an Artificial HorizonF--Table of Interstellar Angles for Practice Sighting and Sextant TestingG--Useful AddressesBibliographyIndex