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George,
You wrote:

> I haven't read that biography, and don't know much about Gauss, but
> wish to add a note of caution about the word "sextant", where
> astronomers are concerned. Indeed, they used an instrument called a
> sextant,

Sure. For example, Ulugh Bek
(sorry I am not sure in the correct English
spelling of his name,
but I hope it is clear whom I am talking about) in Samarkand
used a sextant 40 feet radius:-) I've seen the remains of
it when I was a child.

But when we are talking about Gauss, it is clear that he used
a simple marine sextant (9 inches radius is definitely a
portable instrument, and it is clear from the book that Gauss
just carried it around, measuring various angles).
Alex.


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