artificial horizon

American  

[ahr-tuh-fish-uhl huh-rahy-zuhn] / ˈɑr tə fɪʃ əl həˈraɪ zən /

noun

1. a level, as a surface of mercury, used in determining the altitudes of stars.

2. the bubble in a sextant or octant for aerial use.

3. Also called flight indicator.  Also called gyro horizon.  Aeronautics an instrument that indicates the banking and pitch of an aircraft with respect to the horizon.

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artificial horizon British  

noun

1. Also called: gyro horizon.  an aircraft instrument, using a gyroscope, that indicates the aircraft's attitude in relation to the horizontal

2. astronomy a level reflecting surface, such as one of mercury, that measures the altitude of a celestial body as half the angle between the body and its reflection

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Etymology

Origin of artificial horizon

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Inspired by a child's spinning top toy, Serson wondered if he could create an artificial horizon - something that would stay level, even as a ship lurched and swayed around it.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2019

The entire zone which defined the landscape of my life was now bounded by a continuous artificial horizon, formed by the raised parapets and embankments of the motorways and their access roads and interchanges.

From The Guardian • Jul. 4, 2014

Most valuable service: they provide an artificial horizon; when a pilot cannot see the real horizon, he looks at the gyroscopic one, to see if he is on an even keel.

From Time Magazine Archive

For ascertaining arrival at the Pole, a sextant giving an artificial horizon on a bubble of mercury, the invention of Flyer Byrd, was used.

From Time Magazine Archive

The artificial horizon was then set up, and the flags and banners displayed, these fluttering out bravely before a S.W. wind, which latter, however, was decidedly cold and unpleasant.

From The Sea: Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril, & Heroism. Volume 3 by Whymper, Frederick