Next message: Henry C. Halboth: "Re: Reducing back sights"
Courtney,
I wanted an inverting scope partly because the old-timers used them, and
because it was Lewis's favorite (Lewis as in Lewis & Clark). I also wanted to be
able to measure long lunar distances accurately. An inverting scope has wires
in the field of view that help you keep the plane of observation parallel to
the plane of the instrument. On page viii of the introduction to my Tables
there's a small table showing how important this can be. You'll find similar tables
in Bowditch, Raper, and other old manuals.
What threw me off in using the scope was that, with everything inverted,
normal reactions had the opposite effect of what was wanted. How would you like to
drive through town with a car in which the gear shift was upside-down and
backward, and that went left when you turned the wheel to the right?
Learning to use an inverting scope is rather like learning to ride a bicycle.
Don't frustrate yourself by working too hard at it. Just give it a try now
and then until you get the hang of it and it becomes "instinctive."
Also, be sure to get a rough contact before putting the scope on the sextant.
Bruce
