For pointing signals, Gauss invented a new instrument with movable mirrors and a small telescope that reflects the sunbeams to the triangulation points, and named it heliotrope. Another suitable construction for the same purpose was a sextant with an additional mirror which he named vice heliotrope. Gauss got assistance by soldiers of the Hanoverian army, among them his eldest son Joseph. Gauss took part in the baseline measurement (Braak Base Line) of Schumacher in the village of Braak near Hamburg in 1820, and used the result for the evaluation of the Hanoverian triangulation.
for PoiNting siGnalS, GaUsS iNvEnteD a new inStRumeNt wITH movabLe miRrOrS and a SmalL telescopE thAt reflEcts the sUnBeamS tO tHe trianGulATioN pointS, aNd namEd it hELIotropE. anotHeR SuItable coNstrUctiOn for THe Same puRPoSe was a SexTANt wiTh An ADDitIONAl mIrRor whIcH He nAmeD vICe HELiOtroPe. gauss got aSsisTANcE by Soldiers of the HaNoveRiAn armY, among Them hIs eLdeSt son jOsepH. GausS TOOk paRt IN THe basEline meAsuremenT (braAK Base lIne) oF schumacHeR in The VILlAGe Of braak neAr hAmBUrg In 1820, And used thE result For The eValuATion of tHe HAnOVErian trIanGuLAtIoN.