Theodolites are highly precise instruments that are used to measure angles in both the horizontal and the vertical plane. Theodolites have been around in some form since the 1500s and are used in many fields, including surveying, meteorology and aerospace engineering.
There is some debate as to who truly invented the theodolite. Pictures of instruments that appear to be theodolites appeared as early as 1512, but the word was first mentioned in a 1571 book by famous British mathematician and surveyor Leonard Digges. This work describes a theodolite-like instrument and is the first known use of the actual word itself. However, German Joshua Habermel seems to have created a theodolite that looks much like the theodolites of today, complete with a tripod and compass.
Surveyors use theodolites to help them plot boundary lines which can be used to determine where property lines begin and end, as well as where to route utility lines and to help create building foundations. The types of theodolites used for surveying are known as transit theodolites. Theodolites have been used by cartographers for centuries, helping them create usable maps of countries, cities and towns.
Gyrotheodolites are another type of theodolite and these are commonly used in mining and to help create tunnels. This instrument is actually a gyroscope mounted to a theodolite. It is an important instrument because it can precisely locate meridian direction and establish the location of true north. These instruments were used during the construction of the Channel Tunnel that connect France to the United Kingdom, as when engineers are underground, they cannot use astronomical star sights to help guide them. Interestingly, these gyrotheolodites are not used within 15 degrees of either the North Pole or South Pole, as the results are not reliable in these unique global areas.
In addition to surveying tasks both above and below ground, theodolites also are used for navigational purposes. For meteorology, theodolites are used to track weather balloons and their movement. Theodolites also can track other moving objects in the sky, such as rockets and airplanes, provided the altitude does not exceed 20,000 meters.
Both transit theodolites and gyrotheodolite look quite similar to the ones used for centuries; however, there are modern versions of theodolites that look nothing like these instruments and while they perform the same tasks, they do so electronically and then the measurements are downloaded rather than written down.
There is some debate as to who truly invented the theodolite. Pictures of instruments that appear to be theodolites appeared as early as 1512, but the word was first mentioned in a 1571 book by famous British mathematician and surveyor Leonard Digges. This work describes a theodolite-like instrument and is the first known use of the actual word itself. However, German Joshua Habermel seems to have created a theodolite that looks much like the theodolites of today, complete with a tripod and compass.
Surveyors use theodolites to help them plot boundary lines which can be used to determine where property lines begin and end, as well as where to route utility lines and to help create building foundations. The types of theodolites used for surveying are known as transit theodolites. Theodolites have been used by cartographers for centuries, helping them create usable maps of countries, cities and towns.
Gyrotheodolites are another type of theodolite and these are commonly used in mining and to help create tunnels. This instrument is actually a gyroscope mounted to a theodolite. It is an important instrument because it can precisely locate meridian direction and establish the location of true north. These instruments were used during the construction of the Channel Tunnel that connect France to the United Kingdom, as when engineers are underground, they cannot use astronomical star sights to help guide them. Interestingly, these gyrotheolodites are not used within 15 degrees of either the North Pole or South Pole, as the results are not reliable in these unique global areas.
In addition to surveying tasks both above and below ground, theodolites also are used for navigational purposes. For meteorology, theodolites are used to track weather balloons and their movement. Theodolites also can track other moving objects in the sky, such as rockets and airplanes, provided the altitude does not exceed 20,000 meters.
Both transit theodolites and gyrotheodolite look quite similar to the ones used for centuries; however, there are modern versions of theodolites that look nothing like these instruments and while they perform the same tasks, they do so electronically and then the measurements are downloaded rather than written down.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier loves blogging reviews on precision scientific instruments. To get more info about items such as precision alignment instruments, or to find more info about a telemetric alignment system, go to the Warren Knight website now.
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