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Titolo dell'opera:
Compass
Epoca:
Inventario:
3331
Misure:
Tipo di misura: diametro; Unità di misura: cm; Valore: 9,5; Varie:
Descrizione:
On Columbus' ships, the compass was kept in a mobile container, which was moved as needed. The Atlantic wind rose had 32 diamonds; the Mediterranean one had 16 diamonds. The biggest problem was the demagnetisation of the needles, made of soft or wrought iron, which occurred within 2-3 months.
However, the measurements were inaccurate and sailors sought confirmation from the apparent motions of the Sun (sunrise and sunset indicated east and west) and from the North Star, the only star in the sky that appeared fixed.
