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Good on you, Robert, you're a mine of information. But if the theodolite tripod
can be detached from the rest then the instrument part is similar to a sextant
(?) but would seem much more useful - no worries about a horizon or auxillary
equipment to replace same, and the instrument could be left standing for the 24
hour period under discussion; just swung around, kept level with its
bubble-levels? The tripod is not much more cumbersome than a rifle, for
example, which no self-respecting explorer would be seen without.

Which led to another thought - how do you check for index error without a
horizon?

What a terrible thing, to talk about being dead wrong about Scott.

Robert Eno wrote:

> I can answer the last question:
>
> Theodolites are heavy instruments to lug around on a trip to the pole. But
> most importantly, ever try to use one at -30 C?  It ain't fun, believe me. A
> sextant is much easier and simpler, to work with under extreme conditions
> and compared to a theodolite, a little more robust.
>
> I think, but am not entirely certain, that Scott took a theodolite with him.
> I could be dead wrong though.
>
> cheers,
>
> Robert Eno
>

   

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