NavList:

I think the idea, Noell, was to get a better view of the horizon when contrast was poor. I don't claim it actually works, but if you simply move your eye to see more of the horizon through a fixed pinhole, the image of the index mirror tends to disappear quickly stage right, whereas if you move the pinhole, this doesn't happen as quickly, at least, not on the only sextant I have that is fitted with a pinhole, a Heath sounding sextant.

You won't get a better view of the observed object but you might just get a better view of the horizon in critical conditions. Are there any physicists prepared to help?

Bill Morris
Pukenui
New Zealand
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