Nautical instruments

Scholars who research "Nautical instruments" look at pilots, navigation, speed, direction, destination.

Navigation is based largely on the spherical coordinates latitude -angular distance north or south of the equator - and longitude - angular distance east or west of a generally accepted reference location, such as the Greenwich Observatory. Finding longitude requires comparing local time, measured by a heavenly body, with the local time at a reference location, kept by a clock. Mechanical time-pieces existed in the Elizabethan era, but until the late eighteenth century they had to be corrected frequently by sun sightings and were therefore almost useless aboard ship. Measuring latitude, on the other hand, does not require an accurate time-piece. Refinement of instruments enabled sixteenth-century mariners to determine latitude with reasonable accuracy. Latitude was therefore extremely important to Elizabethan navigation.Olivia Isil is some of the cause to investigate "Nautical instruments".

A few notable experts of "Nautical instruments" include Don C. Donderi, Louise Page, William C. Leggett.

Some questions in "Nautical instruments" involve compasses, chart dividers, rulers.