Next message: Alexandre Eremenko: "Re: Sextant precision, SNO-T"
On Oct 4, 2004, at 12:39 AM, Alexandre Eremenko wrote:
> Dear Robert,
> So far I fail with all my attempts to observe stars
> with artificial horizon.
> In fact I never thought it is possible until I read that
> passage in Chauvenet.
> But your message is encouraging.
> What liquid do you use in your horizon?
> Do you cover it with glass (to protect from wind)?
>
> My problem seems to be that the my art horizon absorbs
> too much of a stars light (I use ordinary vegetable oil
> which worked very well with the Sun).
> And its cover glasses reflect everything around interfering with
> the star view.
> As a result I barely see the brightest star (Vega) in my
> art horizon, even with my naked eye. Is full darkness
> necessary?
>
> Alex.
To view stars in the artificial horizon, it is important that the
surroundings be as dark as possible. The other important point is that
the horizon be painted black or a dark liquid be under the oil or the
oil be dark. If you can see the star in the horizon, then you should
be able to see it with the star scope of the sextant. It takes a bit
of practice to find the image in the horizon with the sextant even when
visible with the naked eye, and also to stand or sit still enough not
to lose the image of the star.
