Around the year 1200, the compass began to be used for navigation by sailors in Europe. Slowly they ventured further and further out from the coasts. Explorers such as Columbus and ...
Around the year 1200, the compass began to be used for navigation by sailors in Europe. Slowly they ventured further and further out from the coasts. Explorers such as Columbus and Magellan in the 15th and 16th centuries used similar compasses, leading to the realization that the Earth is round.
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Description
With the help of the compass, the navigator could keep the course right. To know the position, other aids must be used. A tow log could show the ship's speed in water. By taking the sun's altitude (the angle to the sun) at a specific time of day, it was possible to determine the position. To know the time, an accurate chronomete... With the help of the compass, the navigator could keep the course right. To know the position, other aids must be used. A tow log could show the ship's speed in water. By taking the sun's altitude (the angle to the sun) at a specific time of day, it was possible to determine the position. To know the time, an accurate chronometer was needed that was not affected by the heave. Such a clock was constructed by John Harrison in 1761. It was thus 500 years after the compass began to be used.
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