Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;springfld.arsenal, post: 113382, member: 54&quot;]I&#039;m re-acquainting myself with the workings.&nbsp; The smaller eyepiece is used to read an internal linear scale that goes from -2 to +2, which must be degrees since each unit is divided into 60 parts which must be minutes of angle.&nbsp; Well that is enough accuracy for a celestial fix if &quot;within a mile&quot; is close enough.&nbsp; But that total range of 4 degrees is only relative to something else we don&#039;t know yet and you need absolute elevations of a celestial body to navigate.&nbsp; Maybe it is for solar observation only?&nbsp; There are a number of progressively dimmer light filters selected by the large black knurled ring.&nbsp; The small black knob seems to be an angle adjustment and moves a prism or mirror inside, so when you see certain things aligned inside, you stop turning the knob and read off the number.&nbsp; Maybe.</p><p><br /></p><p>There are really three optical ports but I think the front one opposite the eyepieces is there only to admit light to illuminate the number scale I mentioned.&nbsp; The important ports are on opposite sides of the device.&nbsp; So somehow this must be used to compare objects, horizons, or some things that are on opposite sides of the device.&nbsp; One side view needs &quot;sun filters&quot; and the other doesn&#039;t.&nbsp; ???&nbsp; Well I&#039;m kinda thinking out loud here-I think this will be the year we figure out what this thing was built to do.&nbsp; Tomorrow when sun&#039;s out I&#039;ll take it outside so I can get images out both opposite ports and see if any nautical applications pop into my head.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in