Navigator's Larger Helper

Now the trackable is returning to Finland! If the first phase in the tag has not yet been overstroke (like this), then do overstrike it. Thank you!

Nyt on matkaaja vihdoin palaamassa Joensuuhun! Jos matkaajaan kirjatun tehtävälistan ensimmäinen kohta on vielä yliviivaamatta (kas näin), niin sen saisi mielellään tehdä 

Navigator's Larger Helper wants to see the Atlantic Ocean and then return back to Joensuu, Finland. It has passed the first phase of its trip and is traveling towards Joensuu, Finland. If you see it, please overstrike the first phase in the tag attached to it, so that people will know that it is traveling back to Joensuu.

To stay in Europe!

Note: The original trackable has disappeared and been replaced by a substitute with the same goal, i.e., to see the Atlantic Ocean and then return back to Joensuu, Finland.

The octant was developed prior to the sextant. The reflecting octant was first developed by Isaac Newton in 1699, but did not reach the public until the mid 1700s after further development by Edmond Halley. The reflective octant used a split mirror and was far more accurate than previous instruments since it allowed accurate readings while at sea on a tossing ship. The split mirror could bring the sun (or star) and horizon into the navigator’s view at the same time with practically no optical parallax. It was also the first instrument that could be used during both night and day.

Being one-eighth of a circle, the octant could not measure greater than 90 degrees. Therefore, the octant became almost obsolete once the sextant was developed. There were several navigators who continued to use both the octant and sextant together until the late 1800s.