Ship's Position to Signs

The place (latitude and longitude) of the ship at sea is determined by observations of the heavenly bodies, or by dead reckoning, and when in sight of land by cross-bearings of two shore objects, or by one bearing and the depth of water, etc.

An instrument consisting of two parallel base bars, divided by scale to tenths of an inch (form 0 to 20 inches on each bar), the object of which instrument is to solve by mechanical means any problem that involves the parts of a plane triangle.

The solar time at the place of the ship-12 o'clock (noon) being made known by eight bells when the sun crosses the meridian.

Mean Time at Ship. The ship's time converted into mean time by applying to it the equation of time.

The waterline on the beach.

On a clear night eight shooting stars per hour may be counted for the average of the year. The altitudes of the shooting stars above the earth vary from 16 to 140 miles, and they move at the rate of from 18 to 36 miles per second. They have their origin outside the earth, and only start to heat and burn after reaching the earth's atmosphere.

Relating to the stars.

Astronomical clocks regulated to sidereal time are called sidereal cocks.

The interval of time between two successive transits of the star over the same meridian-23h. 56m. 04 sec.

The time that the First Point of Aries comes to the meridian.

Time measured by the daily motion of the stars-by the daily motion of that point in the equator from which the true right ascension of the stars is counted, this point being the vernal equinox, and its hour angle is called sidereal time.

The time which elapses between the sun's leaving a fixed star until his return to it, ad consists of 365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, 9 seconds.

To observe the altitude or angular distance of a heavenly body.

A portion of the ecliptic containing 30 degrees, or the twelfth part of a circle.

The first of the twelve signs commences at that point of the ecliptic through which the sun passes at the period of the vernal equinox-the signs are counted from west to east. As explained under the head of Sign, the ecliptic is divided into 12 equal parts of 30 degrees each, called Signs. A belt in the heavens extending 8 degrees on each side of the ecliptic is called the zodiac, hence the term, "Signs of the zodiac." Their names, ad the order in which they follow each other, also the characters by which they are indicated, are as follows:

Northern Signs.

Aries-the Ram.

Taurus-the Bull.

Gemini-the Twins.

Cancer-the Crab.

Leo-the Lion.

Virgo-the Virgin.

Southern Signs.

Libra-the Balance.

Scorpio-the Scorpion.

Sagittarius-the Archer.

Capricornus-the Goat.

Pisces-the Fishes.

The Signs derived their names form the 12 constellations of the Zodiac.