The term "ex-meridian" is often used in the context of examinations, particularly in the fields of medicine and healthcare. It typically refers to a type of assessment or evaluation that is performed outside of the usual or expected timing or circumstances. This may involve conducting tests, examinations, or assessments at unconventional times or in non-standard situations, which can affect the interpretation of results.

The history of navigation is a fascinating journey that reflects humanity's quest to explore and connect different parts of the world. Here’s an overview of the key developments in the history of navigation: ### Prehistoric and Ancient Navigation - **Earliest Navigation**: Evidence suggests that prehistoric humans used simple boats made of reeds, wood, or animal skins to cross rivers and lakes. Navigation was likely based on visible landmarks, the sun, and the stars.

Land navigation is the process of determining and maintaining a person’s course over land. It involves plotting one’s route, understanding terrain, and using navigational tools to find one’s way, especially in outdoor and wilderness settings. This skill is essential for activities like hiking, military operations, orienteering, and search and rescue missions. Key components of land navigation include: 1. **Map Reading**: Understanding topographic maps, which provide details about terrain features, elevation, and landmarks.

Light has several key characteristics that define its behavior and properties. These characteristics include: 1. **Wavelength and Frequency**: Light can be described in terms of its wavelength (the distance between consecutive peaks of a wave) and frequency (the number of waves that pass a point in a given amount of time). The wavelength is inversely related to frequency, and together they determine the color of visible light.

The "List of stars for navigation" refers to a collection of stars that are commonly used by navigators for celestial navigation. These stars serve as reliable reference points for determining geographic position based on their positions in the sky and their relationship to the horizon. Key components of a navigation star list include: 1. **Bright Stars**: Most navigation lists include bright stars that are easily visible from both the northern and southern hemispheres. Brightness helps in identification, especially in less than ideal visibility conditions.

The term "lubber line" refers to a distinctive line or mark on a ship's compass or binnacle that's used as a reference point for navigation. It indicates the direction that the ship's bow is pointing relative to the vessel's heading. The lubber line helps sailors align their compass heading with the direction of the ship. When navigating, it is crucial to know the correct heading, especially when making turns or adjustments to maintain a desired course.

Meridian altitude refers to the angle of an astronomical object (such as a star or planet) above the observer's horizon when that object is at its highest point in the sky, which occurs when it crosses the local meridian. The local meridian is an imaginary line that runs from true north to true south, passing directly overhead, and is aligned with the observer’s zenith. At this moment, the object's altitude is measured as the vertical angle between the object and the observer's horizon.

A navigation system is a technology that enables the determination of a location and the guidance to a destination, whether for vehicles, ships, aircraft, or even individuals. These systems can use a combination of tools and technologies to provide real-time positional information and routing capabilities.

The North Pole refers to two primary concepts: 1. **Geographical North Pole**: This is the point located at 90 degrees north latitude, which marks the northernmost point on Earth. It is situated in the Arctic Ocean, covered by shifting sea ice. Unlike the South Pole, which is on solid ground (Antarctica), the North Pole does not have any landmass underneath it.

Piloting can refer to several different concepts depending on the context. Here are a few of the most common meanings: 1. **Aviation**: In aviation, piloting refers to the act of flying an aircraft. A pilot is a person who operates the flight controls of an aircraft, ensuring its safe navigation, takeoff, landing, and overall operation during flight.

The term "Pole Star" refers to a star that is located close to one of the celestial poles, making it appear to be relatively stationary in the sky while other stars revolve around it. The most commonly known Pole Star is Polaris, which is located near the North Celestial Pole. Polaris is part of the constellation Ursa Minor and is often used for navigation because it indicates true north, making it a key reference point for travelers.

Radio Navigational Aids (RNAV) are systems that assist in the navigation of aircraft, ships, and other vehicles using radio signals. These aids enhance the accuracy and reliability of navigation and are vital for ensuring safe travel. RNAV includes various systems and technologies that utilize radio frequencies to determine the position of a vehicle and guide it along a predetermined path.

The SOFAR channel, short for "Sound Fixing and Ranging" channel, is a horizontal layer of water in the ocean where sound speed reaches its minimum, creating a unique acoustic phenomenon. This channel typically forms at a depth of about 700 meters (or about 2,300 feet) in deep ocean waters, but its exact depth can vary based on factors such as temperature, salinity, and pressure.

A Short Baseline Acoustic Positioning System (SBL) is a navigation technology used primarily in underwater environments, such as in marine and oceanographic research, underwater construction, and subsea operations. It utilizes sound waves transmitted underwater to determine the position of objects or vehicles, such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), or divers. ### Key Components of SBL Systems: 1. **Transducers**: These are underwater devices that send and receive acoustic signals.

A tidal atlas is a comprehensive resource that provides information about tidal patterns and behaviors in various bodies of water, primarily oceans and seas. It typically includes detailed charts and maps that illustrate tidal heights, currents, and times for specific locations. The data in a tidal atlas may cover various tidal phenomena, including high and low tides, tidal ranges, and tidal cycles. Tidal atlases are valuable for various applications, including navigation, fishing, coastal management, marine research, and environmental monitoring.

A Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) is a maritime traffic management measure designed to organize the movement of vessels in busy or congested waterways to enhance safety and reduce the risk of collisions. It is akin to a highway system for ships, where designated lanes or routes are established for inbound and outbound traffic. Key features of a TSS include: 1. **Separation of Traffic**: Vessels are guided into separate lanes, typically for incoming and outgoing traffic.

A Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is a satellite-based system used to track the location and movement of fishing vessels and other maritime assets in real-time. VMS is primarily utilized in the fishing industry to ensure compliance with regulations, monitor fishing activities, and manage fishery resources sustainably. Here are some key components and functions of a VMS: 1. **Tracking and Monitoring**: VMS uses satellite technology to provide real-time data on the location, speed, and heading of vessels.

A budget-feasible mechanism is a concept often used in economic theory and mechanism design. It refers to a type of mechanism or system that operates within a set budget constraint while still achieving certain objectives, such as efficiency or fairness. In the context of mechanism design, a mechanism refers to a formal structure that facilitates the interaction among participants (like buyers and sellers or agents) to achieve specific outcomes based on their preferences.

Incentive compatibility is a concept from economics and game theory that refers to a situation where an individual's or agent's optimal strategy is to act in accordance with a certain rule or mechanism, thereby aligning their personal incentives with the desired outcomes of that mechanism. In other words, an incentive-compatible mechanism ensures that participants will find it in their best interest to reveal their true preferences or behaviors, rather than misrepresenting them for personal gain.

Maskin monotonicity is a concept from mechanism design, a field in economics and game theory that deals with designing rules or structures for strategic interaction among agents to achieve desired outcomes. The term is named after Eric Maskin, a Nobel laureate in economics, who contributed significantly to the theoretical foundations of mechanism design. In simple terms, Maskin monotonicity is a property that relates to the robustness of an allocation or outcome against changes in individual preferences.