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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.
Photo: Kronholm, Susanne / Tekniska museet
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.
Photo: Häll, Peter / Tekniska museet
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.
Photo: Häll, Peter / Tekniska museet
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