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185 to 193 of 227 glossary terms
solstice: either of two points on the ecliptic where the sun achieves its maximum declination. The term also refers to the two dates when the sun reaches this position in its annual cycle. The winter solstice corresponds to the shortest day, the summer solstice to the longest. Near these points the sun's declination changes only slowly, hence the etymological meaning of solstice as 'standing sun'.
star pointer: point marking the position of a star, see article on the astrolabe.
string gnomon: the part of a sundial which casts the shadow, where this part is in the form of a taut string.
sun and moon dial: sundial that can also tell the time from the shadow cast by the moon, see article on the sundial.
sundial: instrument of many different forms for finding the time from the position of the sun, usually by measuring the position of a shadow, see article on the sundial.
sundial and dividers: a compound instrument combining the functions of both a sundial and dividers.
surveying and gunnery instrument: compound instrument combining functions required in the closely-associated fields of surveying and gunnery, such as measuring bearings and finding ranges.
surveying compass: magnetic compass with fixed sights used for measuring horizontal bearings by magnetic azimuth. See also circumferentor.
surveying instrument: surveyors used instruments to take bearings, elevations, distances and other associated measures, as well as, for example, laying out plans and drawing topographical surveys. Included are such instruments as the surveying compass, surveying quadrant, surveying rod, surveying staff, surveyor's cross, surveyor's line, surveyor's square and theodolite. Surveying instruments also include compound instruments embodying several such functions.
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