Which light is on more than it is off?

Study for the Navy OCS Navigation Test. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your examination!

The concept of an occulting light is that it is characterized by a pattern of light that is on for a longer duration than it is off. This is due to the fact that an occulting light will typically shine for a period, followed by a shorter dark phase, creating a rhythm where the "on" phase lasts longer than the "off" phase. This type of light is often used in lighthouses and beacons to help mariners identify their location and navigate safely, especially in coastal and harbor areas.

In contrast, flashing lights have equal intervals of light and dark, with both phases lasting the same amount of time, thereby not fulfilling the criteria of being “on more than off.” A minor light generally serves a different purpose and also may not follow the specific pattern of being predominantly illuminated. Fixed lights, while constant, do not have any off period, but the question specifically pertains to the light being "on more than it is off," which is inherently true for an occulting light's operational characteristics.

Thus, the nature of the occulting light makes it the correct choice, as it exemplifies the condition of being illuminated for a longer time compared to being unlit.

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