There are seven sources of error in the...

Question 1 / 2707066636ee928f7522a1c51a07f

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c51a07f

There are seven sources of error in the marine sextant. Of the four errors listed, which one is adjustable?

Question 1 of 27070

There are seven sources of error in the marine sextant. Of the four errors listed, which one is adjustable?

🔍 Key Concepts

• Adjustable vs. non-adjustable sextant errors (which ones the navigator can correct on board) • The difference between instrument construction faults and alignment errors • How you normally "line up" the telescope, mirrors, and frame on a sextant

💭 Think About

• Think about which error involves parts that can be physically realigned by the user with small screws or adjustments during a pre-observation check. • Ask yourself: which error would usually be detected and then corrected by aiming at a distant horizon or star and adjusting until images coincide? • Consider which errors are built into the instrument’s scale or optics and therefore cannot realistically be fixed at sea by the navigator.

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which of the four errors is typically corrected during routine sextant adjustment procedures before taking sights. • Confirm from your notes which errors are considered permanent or non-adjustable manufacturing errors (often requiring professional repair or replacement). • Make sure you distinguish between errors in the graduated arc/scale and errors in the alignment of the optical path (these are treated very differently in practice).

Question 1 of 27070

There are seven sources of error in the marine sextant. Of the four errors listed, which one is adjustable?

Prismatic error

Error of collimation

Centering error

Graduation error

Question 1 / 2707066636ee928f7522a1c51a07f

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c51a07f

There are seven sources of error in the marine sextant. Of the four errors listed, which one is adjustable?

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Question 1 of 27070

There are seven sources of error in the marine sextant. Of the four errors listed, which one is adjustable?