celestial navigation
Sailing by stars
Celestial navigation is the practice of determining position and direction by observing the sun, moon, stars, and planets.
Sailors and aviators measure the angle between celestial bodies and the horizon using a sextant, then consult tables to calculate their location.
Before GPS, it was the primary method for navigating open ocean: The captain took a reading at noon to fix our position.
- sextantMaritime angular measurement device
- astrolabeAncient altitude-measuring instrument
- chronometerPrecision timekeeping instrument
- star chartDiagram of celestial bodies
- compassDevice showing cardinal directions
wayfinding · longitude · Polynesian · nautical mile · nautical almanac · astronomical tables · meridian · azimuth · horizon · declination · astronomy · ephemeris · constellations · North Star · latitude · almanac · quadrant · moon
- celestial themessun worship, lunar cycles, night sky, heavens, firmament
- Maritime ExplorationColumbus, Magellan, voyage, Age of Discovery, circumnavigation
- maritime historysailors, ships, seamen, sailing ships, merchant ships
- nauticalanchor, anchor chain, anchors, boat, boats
- seafaringship, sailors, ships, sail, sailor
- space explorationrockets, Saturn V, satellites, mission, Falcon Heavy
celestial navigationGPS navigation
Satellite-based directional system
satellite navigation · radio navigation · pilotage · dead reckoning · LORAN
navigate, navigator, navigation, celestial, navigating, navigated, navigates, navigational, navigators