Astronomical methods were unreliable for determining longitude from "summary" of Longitude by Dava Sobel
Astronomers had long known that the key to finding longitude at sea lay in the stars. By observing the positions of celestial bodies, sailors could theoretically calculate their exact location on the globe. However, putting this theory into practice was a different story altogether. The main problem with using astronomical methods to determine longitude was the need for a stable platform from which to make accurate observations. This was virtually impossible on a rocking ship in the middle of the ocean. The motion of the waves made it difficult to keep a telescope steady, leading to errors in measurement that could throw off the entire calculation. Another challenge was the fact that many of the instruments used by astronomers were not designed for use at sea. The delicate pendulum clocks that were essential for making accurate time measurements were particularly vulnerable to the harsh conditions of life on a ship. They often stopped working or lost accuracy due to changes in temperature, humidity, or rough handling. In addition to these practical difficulties, there was also a lack of consensus among astronomers about the best method for determining longitude. Some favored using the positions of the moon and planets, while others believed that the stars held the key to accurate navigation. This lack of agreement only added to the confusion and frustration felt by sailors who were desperate to find a reliable way to determine their location at sea.- The unreliable nature of astronomical methods for determining longitude meant that sailors were forced to rely on less accurate means of navigation, such as dead reckoning or estimating their position based on the speed and direction of their ship. This led to countless shipwrecks and lost lives, highlighting the urgent need for a more reliable solution to the problem of finding longitude at sea.
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