Laser Leveled Sextant

Laser Leveled Sextant and Water Refraction

24/3/09 Philip Ney

When developing a side looking sextant to measure the angle of Dubhe, the horizon and Polaris, I experimented with a laser to determine if using it looking across the surface of water in a glass could achieve a more accurate level to use as an artificial horizon. I discovered and demonstrated to Marie, Barnabas and Charles Yokemas that the levels flat laser beam through water refracts into lovely curves made of 5 lines when the level is tilted. This did not happen with an empty glass. The nature of the curves varied depending on how close the laser was to the water. Note these curves in the photographs and how complex the curves which depended only on rotating the laser beam and the closeness of the laser light to the glass of water.

    I also discovered that a laser beam shone across the surface of an opaque fluid, (colored water) created a more sensitive level than a good bubble used in a carpenter’s level.

     Once set, the time by the Polaris Clock can be told by: a) measuring the altitude of the star Dubhe at dusk or dawn. b) Using the side-ways looking sextant to measure the angle of Dubhe to Polaris and the horizon to obtain an accurate time. The Polaris Clock is the most accurate timepiece in the world because it’s reference point is the earth’s rotation and revolutions, which we have arbitrarily called a day and a year. It is more accurate than the atomic clocks, which must be reset in order to accommodate any fluctuations in speed of rotation and revolution. Our only difficulty is how to measure that angle to provide accuracy in millisecounds. The laser level and side-ways looking sextant can be developed further. It will at least help the celestial navigator.

     I do not know if any of this has been reported before, but for me it is joyful discovery that the Lord Creator arranged for me.