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Lost at Sea—The Search for Longitude
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Program Overview
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NOVA chronicles the seventeenth-century journey to determine
longitude.
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In 1714, following a maritime disaster, British Parliament
offers £20,000 for the first reliable method of determining
longitude on a ship at sea.
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It is known that longitude can be found by comparing a ship's
local time to the time at the port of origin. The challenge is
finding a clock—a chronometer—that can keep time at
sea, where temperature changes, humidity, gravity and a ship's
movement affect accuracy.
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Early attempts are based on the assumption that astronomy can
solve the problem.
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Self-taught clockmaker John Harrison believes the answer lies in
large mechanical clocks. Through careful observation and
experimentation, he invents many adaptations to improve clock
accuracy. After decades of work, he realizes pocket watches are
a better choice and redirects his efforts to pursue this smaller
technology.
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In 1764, Harrison's watch proves accurate in helping determine
the longitude on a six-week voyage to Barbados.
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