Which navigational outcome occurs when temperature gradients cause variations of air density during celestial navigation using a sextant?

💡 Explanation

When temperature gradients cause variations of air density, atmospheric refraction occurs because of the bending of light rays depending on density, leading to inaccurate altitude measurements of celestial bodies. Therefore, a systematic error in altitude readings results, rather than compass shifts, increased clouds, or COG changes which relate to different physical phenomena.

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