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Subject: Re: On polar nav
From: Robert Eno (enoid@XXX.XXX)
Date: Wed Sep 11 2002 - 22:30:52 EDT
I can answer the last question:
Theodolites are heavy instruments to lug around on a trip to the pole. But
most importantly, ever try to use one at -30 C? It ain't fun, believe me. A
sextant is much easier and simpler, to work with under extreme conditions
and compared to a theodolite, a little more robust.
I think, but am not entirely certain, that Scott took a theodolite with him.
I could be dead wrong though.
cheers,
Robert Eno
----- Original Message -----
From: Peter Fogg <ffive@XXX.XXX>
To: <NAVIGATION-L@XXX.XXX>
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2002 9:35 PM
Subject: Re: On polar nav
> Walter Guinon wrote:
>
> > Is the behavior of a pendulum a useful indication of nearness to the
pole?
> >
>
> Don't know, but among their lists of indispensable equipment to bring for
> hanging around the pole I've come across no mention of pendulums. My
> understanding of the method used was observations of the sun over a 24
hour
> period. After allowance for change of declination the altitude should
remain
> the same all around the horizon at the pole.
> Another little mystery is why they used sextants rather than theodolites,
> which would seem to be more useful for the purpose.
>
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