artificial horizon

[ ahr-tuh-fish-uhl huh-rahy-zuhn ]

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 in·di·ca·tor [flahyt, in-di-key-ter],. Aeronautics an instrument that indicates the banking and pitch of an aircraft with respect to the horizon.

artificial horizon

noun

1. Also calledgyro 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of artificial horizon¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

I had with me an admirable Hadleys sextant, and an artificial horizon, and I corrected the mean refraction of the suns rays.

From Project Gutenberg

He fixed, by means of an artificial horizon, its latitude to be 341 09 minutes S nine miles to the southward of Botany Bay.

From Project Gutenberg

The sextant and artificial horizon, thermometer, and compasses were carried apart.

From Project Gutenberg

According to an observation with an artificial horizon on land.

From Project Gutenberg

I repeat, however, that I know not how far these methods may go towards obtaining an artificial horizon, for astronomical uses.

From Project Gutenberg