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Dear Robert,
So far I fail with all my attempts to observe stars
with artificial horizon.
In fact I never thought it is possible until I read that
passage in Chauvenet.
But your message is encouraging.
What liquid do you use in your horizon?
Do you cover it with glass (to protect from wind)?

My problem seems to be that the my art horizon absorbs
too much of a stars light (I use ordinary vegetable oil
which worked very well with the Sun).
And its cover glasses reflect everything around interfering with
the star view.
As a result I barely see the brightest star (Vega) in my
art horizon, even with my naked eye. Is full darkness
necessary?

Alex.

On Mon, 4 Oct 2004, Robert Gainer wrote:

> Yes I have done this. Just start with the pan not in the field of view. When
> you bring the pan of oil into the picture only one star appears as you cross
> the edge of the pan into the oil. It is the reflection of the one you are
> watching in the scope. As you bring the star into the center of the pan more
> stares will enter the picture, just stay on the same star until you are very
> close and when you turn the sextant over only one star will be close and
> that?s the one. Just for fun try it.
> All the best,
> Robert Gainer

   

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