NavList:

   

Reply

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

----- Original Message -----
From: Peter Fogg 
To: 
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2002 9:35 PM
Subject: Re: On polar nav


> Walter Guinon wrote:
>
> > Is the behavior of a pendulum a useful indication of nearness to the
pole?
> >
>
> Don't know, but among their lists of indispensable equipment to bring for
> hanging around the pole I've come across no mention of pendulums. My
> understanding of the method used was observations of the sun over a 24
hour
> period. After allowance for change of declination the altitude should
remain
> the same all around the horizon at the pole.
> Another little mystery is why they used sextants rather than theodolites,
> which would seem to be more useful for the purpose.
>

   

Reply