Sextant

Sextant, made by Jesse Ramsden, last quarter of 18th century. The sextant became the symbol of navigation. The instrument is named for its scale—60 degrees or 1/6th of a circle—and can measure even greater angles than the octant.

Caption:
Sextant, made by Jesse Ramsden, last quarter of 18th century.
Type: Artifact
Image Date: 2012
Credit: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Origin: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Creator: Jaclyn Nash
JN2012-1310
Innovations
Navigation Methods
 

jn2012-1310.jpg

Sextant, made by Jesse Ramsden, last quarter of 18th century.

jn2012-1311.jpg

Sextant, made by Jesse Ramsden, last quarter of 18th century.