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Re: accuracy of Cook's lunars
From: Alexandre Eremenko
Date: 2012 Dec 31, 15:14 -0500
From: Alexandre Eremenko
Date: 2012 Dec 31, 15:14 -0500
Lu, I agree with most that you say, except this: > Last but not least, let's remember that Cook was using an octant On my opinion, there was no progress in the accuracy of the best sextants/octants since the time of Cook (if all corrections properly applied, which they did). The progress was only in the ease and convenience of use. Perhaps also in durability and lower price. I never had an opportunity to observe with a high-quality XVIII century sextant, but my analysis of Cook's observations, and some other early observations show that they had about the same accuracy as later observations, including my own, and other members of the list. Alex.