I keep reading that lighthouses help sailors 1) be aware of dangers like rocks and reefs, and 2) navigate in the dark. I understand that lighthouses beam a series of flashes that a sailor can see from far away, but I’m not quite sure how seeing a series of flashes in the dark from a single point-source can accomplish point 1 and point 2.
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Well the first point is simple. You build the light house ON the dangerous rocks or reef (or right next to it. That way ships know to stay far away from the lighthouse to avoid getting shipwrecked.
And as for navigating in the dark, the majority of the time the ships captain and crew already knew the path they were planning on taken, and chances are had taken that path before. So the lighthouse just acted as a check point. You would keep track of where you thought you were on the map, and then when you were supposed to be passing a lighthouse check if you could see the lighthouse.
If you could see the lighthouse you knew you were on course, if you couldn’t see the lighthouse that meant soemthing was up, maybe the wind is blowing you off course, maybe you’re not moving as fast as you thought, etc etc.
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