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  1. Sextant - Wikipedia

    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 …

  2. How Sextants Work: An Illustrated Guide – Casual Navigation

    A sextant is a navigational instrument that measures the angle between two objects. It uses a pair of mirrors to overlay one object over the other. The angle between the objects is proportional to the …

  3. Sextant | Navigation, Celestial Measurement & Astronomy | Britannica

    sextant, instrument for determining the angle between the horizon and a celestial body such as the Sun, the Moon, or a star, used in celestial navigation to determine latitude and longitude.

  4. A Comprehensive Guide to Marine Sextant

    Jan 29, 2024 · A sextant is a marine navigation instrument used to measure the angle between two objects. Learn everything about Sextants in this article.

  5. 3 Ways to Use a Sextant - wikiHow

    Oct 8, 2025 · A sextant is an old navigational tool that measures elevation using angular distances. You can use a sextant to determine the altitude in the sky of the sun, moon, or other celestial bodies …

  6. SEXTANT Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

    The meaning of SEXTANT is an instrument for measuring angular distances used especially in navigation to observe altitudes of celestial bodies (as in ascertaining latitude and longitude).

  7. What is a Sextant? - Davis Instruments

    A sextant is a valuable instrument used to determine the angle between the horizon and a celestial body like the Sun, Moon, or Star. It is used in celestial navigation to calculate latitude and longitude.

  8. When Was the Sextant Invented and by Whom? - ScienceInsights

    Nov 10, 2025 · The sextant is a specialized, double-reflecting instrument engineered to measure the angular distance between two visible objects, most commonly a celestial body and the horizon.

  9. sextant noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes ...

    Definition of sextant noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

  10. What is Sextant, its types, principle and errors - MarineGyaan

    Apr 29, 2025 · Sextant is one of the oldest navigation instruments used by mariners, its called sextant because its arc is 1/6th of a circle i.e. 60° but it can measure angles upto 120° using double …