Dictionary term
Artificial Horizon
Direct answer
Artificial Horizon is a reflective or optical device that supplies a horizontal reference when the natural horizon is unavailable.
Artificial Horizon is a level reference for altitude sights used in historical astronomy, timekeeping, or navigation.
Artificial Horizon is a level reference for altitude sights used in historical astronomy, timekeeping, or navigation.
An engraved functional orientation; the page explains the real instrument, method, or publication.Quick reference
- Use when
- Use Artificial Horizon by measuring the angle between the direct and reflected body and halving the doubled angle when the method requires.
- Do not use it for
- Liquid horizons can be hazardous or disturbed by wind, and a doubled angle must not be mistaken for altitude.
- Reference category
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Related terms
- Filar Micrometer, Repeating Circle, Chronometer, Marine Chronometer
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The story behind Artificial Horizon
Mercury troughs, glass reflectors, spirit levels, and bubble attachments have all served as artificial horizons.
Artificial Horizon in spiritual tradition
Artificial Horizon rewards careful observation, explicit assumptions, and humility about the limits of every model or measurement.
Artificial Horizon: fact and faith, kept distinct
This is a factual history-of-science, instrument, timekeeping, or navigation reference. It may support wonder and disciplined attention without becoming a claim of fate, worship, or private revelation.
Artificial Horizon in numerology
Artificial Horizon is not a numerology claim. Any numbers attached to it should retain their ordinary scientific, calendrical, navigational, or historical meaning unless a separate symbolic interpretation is clearly labeled.
Why Artificial Horizon matters
Artificial Horizon matters because it makes land-based celestial altitude work possible away from a clear sea horizon.
Artificial Horizon at work: an example
A sextant can observe the Sun and its reflection in a liquid horizon from an inland site.
Where interpretation stops
Artificial Horizon is presented as sourced astronomy, calendrical, Earth-science, cultural, or instrument-history reference. Definitions should distinguish measured phenomena from civil convention and historical interpretation, preserve location and time dependencies, and avoid turning factual sky data into a deterministic personal claim.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- Royal Museums Greenwich: Astronomical and Navigational Instruments - Museum reference collection for historical observing, calculating, timekeeping, and navigation instruments.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency: The American Practical Navigator - Official modern reference for navigation principles, celestial observations, sight reduction, and navigational tables.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Also appears in
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Aliases
- None listed
- Last updated
- 2026-07-16
Explore Artificial Horizon
Artificial Horizon in a book is one thing; Artificial Horizon in your own birth chart is your life. The Oracle casts your real chart and tells you what it means for your love, your work, and your year ahead, in conversation, free.
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More in Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Canon of Eclipses
- Davis Quadrant
- Gunter's Quadrant
- Lunar Distance Method
- Mural Quadrant
- Planet Sight
- Semidiameter Correction
- Transit Table
Common questions
What is Artificial Horizon?
Artificial Horizon is a reflective or optical device that supplies a horizontal reference when the natural horizon is unavailable.
How is Artificial Horizon used in an almanac?
Use Artificial Horizon by measuring the angle between the direct and reflected body and halving the doubled angle when the method requires.
What should I avoid when interpreting Artificial Horizon?
Liquid horizons can be hazardous or disturbed by wind, and a doubled angle must not be mistaken for altitude.
