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Thanks, Frank. I think I've got it. Weather permitting, I'll have a go
tomorrow.  -Hewitt

On 1/7/11, Frank Reed  wrote:
> Hewitt, you wrote:
> "In thinking about this technique further this afternoon, I now visualize it
> as analogous to inverting the sextant to bring the horizon up to a star. But
> then, instead of flipping the sextant back to "normal" you hold the scope on
> the star and rotate the sextant around the axis of the scope. Thus instead
> of swinging the star (sun, moon, planet) across the horizon, you swing the
> horizon around the body."
>
> Yes, that's just right. Now, turn the sextant back right side up and do
> whatever motion is required to get the same visual effect. You'll find that
> you're turning from side to side while you're rotating the instrument. As
> Paul has said, it's hard to describe but easy to do if you follow the simple
> rule that the Sun or star should remain centered in the field of view. It's
> not hard to learn at all, and it's not hard to teach if you have the
> students right there with you. It is, however, hard to explain in words.
> This whole business would benefit from an animation or a simple video. When
> you've seen it done, there's nothing to it.
>
> -FER
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