Old instruments
Sun Sight
Direct answer
Sun Sight is a timed measurement of the Sun's limb or center relative to the horizon.
Sun Sight is a solar altitude observation used in historical astronomy, timekeeping, or navigation.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Related
- Noon Sight, Star Sight, Moon Sight, Planet Sight
Sun Sight is a solar altitude observation used in historical astronomy, timekeeping, or navigation.
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The story behind Sun Sight
Solar sights have anchored latitude, longitude, time, and position work across many instrument traditions.
A one-minute story
The Book of the Sky
How people learned to read the sky, from Babylon to the day you were born.
Why Sun Sight matters
Sun Sight matters because the Sun is bright, readily predicted, and useful for lines of position through much of the day.
Sun Sight in practice: an example
A morning lower-limb sextant altitude can be reduced to a line of position.
Where readings of Sun Sight go wrong
The usual misreading is to view the Sun through an optical instrument without certified, undamaged solar protection and correct technique.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency: The American Practical Navigator - Official modern reference for navigation principles, celestial observations, sight reduction, and navigational tables.
- U.S. Naval Observatory: Astronomical and Navigational Almanacs - Official descriptions of the Astronomical Almanac, Nautical Almanac, and their tabular data.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Explore Sun Sight
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More in Historical Almanacs & Instruments
- Astronomical Quadrant
- Computed Altitude
- Equinoctial Ring Dial
- Line of Position
- Meridian Circle
- Pelorus
- Repeating Circle
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Common questions
What is Sun Sight?
Sun Sight is a timed measurement of the Sun's limb or center relative to the horizon.
What do people get wrong about Sun Sight?
The usual misreading is to view the Sun through an optical instrument without certified, undamaged solar protection and correct technique.
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