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← HistoryWhich corrective measure significantly reduced position error during celestial navigation using an 18th-century sextant in heavy seas?
A)Averaging multiple sights taken rapidly✓
B)Increasing the telescope's magnification power
C)Applying corrections from an improved chronometer
D)Using a heavier, lead-weighted sextant frame
💡 Explanation
When operating a sextant on a moving ship, averaging multiple sights minimizes error arising from the vessel's motion because random fluctuations are cancelled. Therefore, averaging rapid sights reduces the error, rather than high magification which amplifies motion, accurate time which isn't motion-related, or weight which affects ergonomics only.
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