Longitude
Longitude is the angular distance of a point on the Earth's surface, measured in degrees east or west from the prime meridian. In the maritime context, longitude is a crucial navigational coordinate used to determine a ship's position at sea. It is measured using a sextant to determine the angle between the horizon and a celestial body, such as the sun or a star. This angle, along with the time of the observation, is used to calculate the ship's longitude using a nautical almanac and a chronometer. The accurate determination of longitude was a major challenge for navigators until the development of reliable chronometers in the 18th century.
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