observation

The Sailor's Word-Book

In nautical astronomy, denotes the taking the sun, moon, or stars' altitude with a quadrant or sextant, in order thereby to find the latitude or time; also, the lunar distances.

Related Words

  • Observation

    ·noun The information so acquired. II. Observation ·noun Performance of what is prescribed; adheren...

    Webster's Dictionary of the English Language

  • Observation car

    ·add. ·- A railway passenger car made so as to facilitate seeing the scenery en route; a car open, o...

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  • differential observation

    Taking the differences of right ascension and declination between a comet and a star, the position o...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • latitude by observation

    The latitude determined by observations of the sun, star, or moon, by meridional, as also by double ...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • working an observation

    Reducing the altitudes or distances of heavenly bodies by calculation. ...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • longitude by lunar observation

    The longitude calculated by observing the moon's angular distance from the sun or a fixed star. It i...

    The Sailor's Word-Book