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I suppose one shouldn’t criticise without actually trying it oneself first.  They picked the right sextant to use.  The Hughes Mate’s Three Circle is pretty idiot proof, see below.  I tried it this morning bringing the Sun down onto the garden fence and it still works tolerably well.  The Sun looks rather small, but it’s usable, and the big lens is quite comfortable against the eye.  Moreover, if in your enthusiasm to try it you forget to slip a shade in front of the horizon mirror before aiming at the Sun, you don’t get that “I think I just blinded myself” moment which you get otherwise.

I tried it again tonight on Sirius, and it just about works.  The image is about as dim as Polaris.  Trying to find anything dimmer than Sirius is a waste of time.  Using no scope at all is easier. DaveP

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