The life and death of a scientific instrument: The marine chronometer, 1770–1920

Davies, Alun C.

doi:10.1080/00033797800200391

Cited by 14 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Intervention by the King himself, as an amateur astronomer and a special Act of Parliament in June 1773 [3] & [4] was required due to the Board of Longitude's skepticism, which was considered inappropriate by the King and other members of the scientific elite. His work, different models, craftsmanship and artistry inspired new solutions; from the escapement device principle at the heart of all mechanical marine chronometers discovered by a Frenchman: Pierre Le Roy; to its improvement and application for production through the work of two English men (John Arnold and Thomas Earnshaw) [1], [3] & [5]. Other plans and solutions followed such as Captain Robert Wauchope of the Royal Navy time balls tested first at Portmouth in 1829 [6].…”

Section: History Of Man's Quest For Precision In Navigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first manifestation of new technology capable of usurping the super accurate mechanical chronometers occurred in 1904, when the United States Navy began to experiment with the transmission of radio-time signals as an aid to the determination of longitude [5].The challenge in precision continued with precision in Navigation systems, which depends on electromagnetic waves travelling at 300,000,000m/s, which means that one microsecond error in a vessel's time will result in 300metres of navigational error.…”

Section: History Of Man's Quest For Precision In Navigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Essential parameters of Space-Borne Oscillators that ensures performance of Satellite-Based Augmentation System

Lawal

Chatwin

2011

3rd IEEE International Conference on Adaptive Science and Technology (ICAST 2011)

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) arosefrom the need to provide continuity, availability, integrity and accuracy of global positioning signals to eliminate errors and compensate for discrepancies associated with GPS signals and other navigation systems. The NIGCOMSAT-1R Project is the insurance replacement of the NIGCOMSAT-1 satellite, which was de-orbited on 10 th of November 2008 due to an irreparable single point of failure on-board the satellite. The NigComSat-1R Navigation (L-band) payload is a Space Based Augmentation System meant to provide a Navigation Overlay Service (NOS) similar to the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). The paper seeks to examine some of humankind's triumphs in navigation, from mechanical clocks to the critical role that Space-Borne Oscillators play in improving Performance of Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems and the strategic role of NIGCOMSAT-1R, the nascent African contribution to the Global Navigation Satellite System.

show abstract

Section: History Of Man's Quest For Precision In Navigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: History Of Man's Quest For Precision In Navigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Essential parameters of Space-Borne Oscillators that ensures performance of Satellite-Based Augmentation System

Lawal

Chatwin

2011

3rd IEEE International Conference on Adaptive Science and Technology (ICAST 2011)

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Considerable skill was involved in their manufacture, the ' elite branch of the British watch making industry'. 12 Competition between manufacturers was also fierce. John Arnold and Thomas Earnshaw, for example, both published pamphlets criticizing the work of other watchmakers and publicizing inventions that, they claimed, improved the performance of their own chronometers.…”

Section: The Marine Chronometermentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetism and chronometers: the research of the Reverend George Fisher

Roberts¹

2008

Br J Hist Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although largely remembered as an astronomer, the Reverend George Fisher (1794–1873) played a significant part in studying the performance and possible improvement of marine chronometers in the mid-nineteenth century. Appointed astronomer to the Royal Navy's Arctic expedition of 1818, while on the voyage Fisher carried out research into the effects of magnetism on the accurate running of chronometers on board ship. By this time, chronometers were standard equipment on many ships and their reliability was a matter of importance to all mariners. Fisher's published findings from this research led to considerable contemporary debate, and also influenced the work of others in the field. Moreover, as papers held at the National Maritime Museum show, he carried on his chronometer research in later life, making further contributions to the subject that have remained somewhat neglected.

show abstract

The problem of longitude at sea in the 18th century in Spain

Lafuente

Sellés

1985

Vistas in Astronomy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Few scientific subjects have generated so much literature or so many expectations as the reckoning of longitude at sea. Since the 16th century numerous authors, including several charlatans and opportunists, took on the study of a topic which, apart from presenting a challenge to the scientific community, could also offer substantial economic benefits to the person who managed to find the solution. A long inventory of essays could be listed which described methods which were only viable on paper, but absolutely impracticable on board ship. It would not be until the eighteenth century that this research led to even minimally precise processes, with strong support from the different European monarchs. But even when found, these processes would not be easy to apply. Few countries had a scientific or technical infrastructure capable of guaranteeing the assimilation of methods which involved advanced mathematical knowledge and/or handmade precision mechanisms. Obviously it was possible to find an ~7~t~ with the education to follow the advances being made in astronomy and instrumentmaking techniques, but this was in no way sufficient. We are not confronted here with a merely theoretical problem, but a practical one, whose solution could have important consequences for trade and the domination of the Atlantic. Rather than being an academic exercise, the

show abstract

The life and death of a scientific instrument: The marine chronometer, 1770–1920

Cited by 14 publications

References 4 publications

Essential parameters of Space-Borne Oscillators that ensures performance of Satellite-Based Augmentation System

Essential parameters of Space-Borne Oscillators that ensures performance of Satellite-Based Augmentation System

Magnetism and chronometers: the research of the Reverend George Fisher

The problem of longitude at sea in the 18th century in Spain

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About