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I suspect that the reason is that, when you're taking a "shot" with a
rifle, to aim the
rifle, you line up the "bead" on the end of the rifle with the notch in
the slot which is
closer to the stock.  Geometrically speaking, lining up a celestial
object with the
horizon when using a sextant is a similar activity.
John
> ----------
> From: 	Rick Emerson[SMTP:rick@XXX.XXX]
> Reply To: 	Rick Emerson
> Sent: 	Wednesday, January 06, 1999 5:06 AM
> To: 	Russell Sher
> Cc: 	'navigation@XXX.XXX'
> Subject: 	[Nml] reason for using the term sextant "shot"?
>
> Russell Sher writes:
>  > Hi - some time ago I came across the reason for the term "shot" as
> in "noon
>  > shot" etc. - Does anyone know ? I believe that it is because the
> early
>  > navigation tools eg. cross staff resembled a bow. Does anyone know
> more on
>  > this?
>
> Well, let me take a shot at answering this... [wink]  Seriously, I
> suspect the term's origin is as simple as using "shot" as an alternate
> word for "having a go".  Also, "shot" and "sight" aren't too far apart
> as to how they sound.  Either that or it's mnemonic (memory aid) for
> the items you need to collect to get a sun line...
> Sun
> Horizon
> Offset
> Time
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> Just kidding, folks!
>
> Rick
> S/V One With The Wind, Baba 35
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