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KF5JRV > TECH 17.04.16 15:19l 24 Lines 1327 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 1651_KF5JRV
Read: GUEST
Subj: Time at Night
Path: IW8PGT<IW7BFZ<IK7NXU<IK6IHL<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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