Talk:Theodolite

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Ah! Somebody else writing about theodolites :-)

Too bad the article is so limited. Right angle, or bent path, theodolites were used extensively in meteorological observations of winds aloft. The PIBAL (pilot balloon) was tracked with a theodolite and winds were calculated by measuring azimuth and elevation of the balloon at fixed, usually one minute, intervals and by knowing the ascent rate of the balloon (balloons were filled to a precise amount of lift). Although not used to any great extent today, balloon soundings are still taken to a limited extent.

JET

please,show the setting up of the theodolite

[edit] Gyro-Theodolite

I have just created this article as a request on WP:AFC. Please have a look at it and see if it warrants an article on its own or if it would better be merged into here. Also if you know anything about it, feel free to expand it.

[edit] How can this be?

Here's the thing: the page says a theodolite combines a telescope with measuring technology, and was invented in 1571. I thought the telescope made its appearance in 1608! I know Digges is said to have constructed a telescope, but that was a reflector; can't be what we're talking about here...so what's the solution to this discrepency?

[edit] Setting Circle(s)?

A question for the experts in this field. I have been editing the page Setting circles and have come across this reference:

....Answers.com the "McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms":

setting circle (′sed·iŋ ′sər·kəl)

(engineering) A coordinate scale on an optical pointing instrument, such as a telescope or surveyor's transit.

Is the graduated scale on a Theodolite ever call a "Setting circle"? If so it looks like the Theodolites should be mentioned in that article and "Setting circle" should be mentioned in the Theodolite article. Halfblue 00:03, 22 January 2007 (UTC)