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Lighthouse Glossary
Aerobeacon
A modern type of light used in many
lighthouses today.
Astragals
Vertical metal bars which hold the glass of the lantern room.
Bull's Eye
A convex lens used to concentrate (refract) light.
Characteristic
The light pattern (flashes) of a particular
lighthouse.
Daymark
Unique color or pattern that identifies a
lighthouse during daylight hours.
Fixed Light
A steady, non-flashing beam.
Fog Signal
A device that produces a warning sound to
aid navigation in thick fog.
Fresnel Lens
Beehive-shape optic which redirect light from the source into horizontal
beams. French inventor Augustin-Jean Fresnel
(pronounced fra-NEL)
developed this type of lens in 1819.
Gallery
The balcony that wraps around the lantern
room
Keeper
The person who takes care of the lighthouse.
Lamp
The source of light.
Lantern Room
The top room of the lighthouse where light
is located.
Lens
A curved piece of glass for bringing together or spreading rays of light
Lighthouse
A lighted beacon of major importance in
navigation
Lightstation
A complex which contains the lighthouse,
keeper's house, and other
buildings.
Log
A book for keeping records.
Optic
The apparatus used to produce the light (lens, beacon, etc.)
Order
Size of the Fresnel lens which determines the brightness and distance the
light will travel. First order lenses
are the largest and sixth order lenses
are the smallest.
Pharologist
A person who studies or is interested in lighthouses.
Pier
A structure extending into navigable waters for use as a landing place, or
to protect a harbor.
Prism
A transparent piece of glass that refracts or disperses light.
Reflect/Refract
Bend rays of light.
Revolving Light
A light that produces a flash or characteristic.
Shoal
A shallow area, such as a sandbar or rock
formation, that poses a risk to
boaters
Tower
The structure that supports the lens and lantern room of the lighthouse.
Watch Room
The room beneath the lantern room where fuel and other supplies were
stored.
Wickie
Keepers earned this nickname because they
had to trim the wick of the
lamps.
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