Backstaff (Davis Quadrant) : a video

I have long wanted to make my own Backstaff. I finally did !

Here are two short videos to show how a Davis Quarter works :

  • Part 1 : principle
  • Part 2 : in use

More to come on the subject!

For more information on astronomical navigation throughout the centuries:

  • My lecture for the Petite Université Populaire de Lure: here
  • My article in “L’Astronomie”: here
  • My full blog post: here
  • My Geogebra app: here (this app not only helps you understand the principles of astronomical navigation, but it’s also accurate enough to replace reduction tables!)
  • A comment on the Saint-Hilaire method: here