Because of the reflecting properties of a sextant, if the sextant altitude reads 60° on the limb, the actual arc of the limb from 0° to the 60° reading is __________.

Question

Because of the reflecting properties of a sextant, if the sextant altitude reads 60&deg; on the limb, the actual arc of the limb from 0&deg; to the 60&deg; reading is __________.

Accepted Answer

Option B: 30&deg;. A marine sextant uses a double-reflection principle across its index and horizon mirrors. This doubles the angle between the horizon and the celestial body on the graduated arc, meaning a 60° reading on the limb corresponds to an actual physical arc of 30°.

Because of the reflecting properties of a sextant, if the sextant altitude reads 60&deg; on the limb, the actual arc of the limb from 0&deg; to the 60&deg; reading is __________.

Because of the reflecting properties of a sextant, if the sextant altitude reads 60° on the limb, the actual arc of the limb from 0° to the 60° reading is __________.