Add to albumAn octant is a navigational instrument used for measuring angles necessary for determining a ship's position at sea. This is a detail from an octant made in 1744, probably by Edward Nairne (1726-1806), a scientific instrument maker based in London.
The detail shows the arc and, at the top, an ivory plate inscribed 'Thomas Hellyer [the owner] 1774/ NAIRNE LONDON'.
Until around 1780, a central zero was common on the vernier of octants, as seen here; after this date the vernier had the zero to the right.
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- Online ID: 000-190-002-051-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland T.1909.9
- Date: 1774
- Material: Octant
- Dimensions:
- What: Octant
- Subject: 9. NAVIGATION (Departmental Classification)
- Who: Nairne, London (Maker)
- Where: England, London
- Event:
- Description: Octant made by Nairne, London, dated 1774
- References:
- Bennett, J.A. The Divided Circle: A history of instruments for astronomy, navigation and surveying. Oxford: 1987, pp 132-4
- For Nairne, see Clifton, Gloria, Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851. London: 1995, p 196
- Translations:
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