Artificial Horizon

Object/Artifact

Maritime Museum of San Diego

2026 condition

Name/Title

Artificial Horizon

Entry/Object ID

1973.009.001

Description

Mercury artificial horizon. Made of wood with three panels of glass. One of the tapered handles is removable to fill the instrument with mercury. The sextant had to be pointed downward to view the reflection of the celestial body on the surface of the mercury pool through the clear portion of the horizon glass. Ribbon strap on one handle. Frame painted green with decorative flower designs. length 13 1/2" X Diameter 2 1/2"

Collection

Instruments Collection

Made/Created

Notes

Date: 1820 ca

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Tertiary Object Term

Horizon, Artificial

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Instrument, Flight

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Component, Aircraft

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Aerospace Transportation Accessories

Nomenclature Class

Aerospace Transportation T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 07: Distribution & Transportation Objects

Material

Metal, Glass