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Sextant Errors and Corrections

This document discusses three corrections that can be made to a sextant: the error of perpendicularity, side error, and index error. The error of perpendicularity is corrected by adjusting the first screw to make the true and reflected arcs form a continuous line. Side error is corrected by the second screw to align the true and reflected horizon. Index error is corrected by the third screw to align the true and reflected horizon when the index bar is at zero. Repeating the three adjustments removes any residual errors. There will always be a residual index error determined by observing the sun both on and off the arc and calculating the difference. Collimation error is caused by faults in construction and is determined by the manufacturer.

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2K views1 page

Sextant Errors and Corrections

This document discusses three corrections that can be made to a sextant: the error of perpendicularity, side error, and index error. The error of perpendicularity is corrected by adjusting the first screw to make the true and reflected arcs form a continuous line. Side error is corrected by the second screw to align the true and reflected horizon. Index error is corrected by the third screw to align the true and reflected horizon when the index bar is at zero. Repeating the three adjustments removes any residual errors. There will always be a residual index error determined by observing the sun both on and off the arc and calculating the difference. Collimation error is caused by faults in construction and is determined by the manufacturer.

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rigel
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© © All Rights Reserved
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  • Sextant Errors and Corrections

Sextant errors and corrections:

The first correction is for the Error of Perpendicularity.

The error of Perpendicularity is caused by the Index mirror not being at right angles (90) to
the Plane of the instrument.
This is corrected by the first adjustment screw.
Hold the sextant with the arc facing away and adjust the index bar to the middle of the arc.
When the arc is viewed through the Index mirror, the true and reflected arc should form a
continuous line.
If they do not, turn the first adjustment screw until they do.

The second correction is for Side Error.

Side error is caused by the Horizon mirror not being at right angles (90) to the plane of the
instrument.
This is corrected by the second adjustment screw.
Remove the telescope from the instrument. Set the index bar to zero.
Tilt the sextant to about 45 and view the horizon through the horizon mirror.
The true and reflected horizon should appear as a continuous line.
If they do not, turn the second adjustment screw until they do.

The third correction is Index Error.

Index error is caused by the Index mirror not being parallel to the horizon mirror when the
index bar is set at zero.
This is corrected by the third adjustment screw.
Set the index bar at zero and view the horizon through the telescope.
The true and reflected horizon should appear as a continuous line.
If they do not, turn the third adjustment screw until they do.

When correcting a Sextant which has been out of use, repeat the three adjustments to remove
any residual errors.

There will always be a residual Index error which must be determined by observation of the
sun.
In order to determine the Index Error, set the index bar at zero and observe the sun.
Turn the drum on the arc until the lower limb of the reflected sun is on the upper limb of the
true sun. Note the reading.
Repeat above off the arc and note the reading. NB the micrometer reading is reversed...
Check the accuracy of the readings by summing the two readings. This should equal 4 x Semi
Diameter which may be determined for the day from the Nautical Almanac
The difference between the two readings, divided by 2, will equal the index error remaining
on the sextant.

Collimation Error:

This is an error caused by faults in the construction of the sextant. It is determined at the point
of manufacture or by specialist instrument makers. The sextant will be supplied with a table
of collimation errors. If a sextant is damaged and then repaired it should be tested for
collimation error after repair.

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