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← HistoryWhich unintended navigational error was introduced when mirrored sextants relied on the principle of double reflection from imperfect mercury horizons?
A)Cumulative angle measurement errors✓
B)Compromised astrolabe baseline accuracy
C)Longitudinal drift rate amplification
D)Circumferential sextant scale compression
💡 Explanation
Due to the double-reflection principle, each imperfection contributed systematic errors because the slight distortions in the artificial horizon added cumulatively to angular measurements. Sextants improved accuracy; therefore horizon errors persisted rather than alternative bearing errors increasing.
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