Noon Sight


Noon Sight is a celestial navigation method used to determine a ship's latitude at noon. The navigator measures the altitude of the sun with a sextant when it reaches its highest point in the sky (meridian passage). The altitude is then used to calculate the ship's latitude using tables or a formula. This method is based on the fact that the sun's position in the sky varies depending on the observer's location on the Earth. Noon Sight is a reliable and accurate method of determining latitude, but it requires clear skies and a good sextant. It is still used by some navigators today, especially in emergency situations when electronic navigation systems fail.


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