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IZ3LSV

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KF5JRV > TECH     17.04.16 14:16l 24 Lines 1327 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 1651_KF5JRV
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Subj: Time at Night
Path: IZ3LSV<IK6ZDE<I0OJJ<N6RME<N0KFQ<KF5JRV
Sent: 160417/1313Z 1651@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA BPQ1.4.65

A merkhet is a device which was used in Ancient Egypt for the purpose 
of telling time at night. Merkhets were extremely accurate, and could 
be used to make astronomical observations in addition to to keeping 
time. Several extant merkhets are on display at museums with 
collections of Egyptian artifacts, and numerous works of Egyptian art 
depict the use of merkhets. It has been suggested that these 
instruments were probably used in the construction of temples and 
tombs to align the structures in particular ways.

The device is fairly simple. A merkhet includes a straight bar 
attached to a plumb line, a weighted line which can be used to 
establish a straight vertical line to the ground. To use the merkhet, 
the device was aligned with the North star, and a second merkhet 
would be used to establish a North-south meridian. This line could 
be used to align a structure, or as a reference point to track the 
movement of stars in the sky.

By making note of when particular stars crossed the meridian, the 
user could determine the time. Astronomers also used merkhets to 
map the skies and to make observations, often with the assistance 
of a bay, a specially designed tool used for sighting. During the 
day, when the stars are not visible, a sundial would have been 
used to mark the passing of the hours.


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