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← HistoryWhich error in sextant usage most directly affected longitudinal position calculations during transoceanic voyages?
A)Parallax error from neglecting height
B)Index error from mirror misalignment✓
C)Shades tints inconsistent sunlight
D)Observational error using averaged stars
💡 Explanation
When the sextant mirrors are misaligned, index error occurs causing an inaccurate angular measurement, directly translating into errors determining the observed celestial body's altitude, affecting Greenwich Mean Time comparison for determining longitude. Therefore index error specifically influenced longitudinal fixes, rather than altitude error parallax latitude tints.
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