Mathematical instrument -- the sextante (Q6580355)
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scientific article; zbMATH DE number 7888290
| Language | Label | Description | Also known as |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Mathematical instrument -- the sextante |
scientific article; zbMATH DE number 7888290 |
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Mathematical instrument -- the sextante (English)
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29 July 2024
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In this short note, written in Portuguese, the author describes the emergence of the sextant, an instrument used in maritime navigation. In a letter to Edmund Halley in 1700, Isaac Newton described an instrument which measured heights, equipped with mirrors. Such an instrument presented the optical principles of modern nautical sextants. The paper describes in details the mathematics behind the operation of this instrument having in mind the historical aspects.
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sextant
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