![]() ![]() In addition, observations between stars and other celestial bodies accomplished the same results whilst in space – and was used extensively in the Apollo space program and is still used on many contemporary satellites. The Moon, a planet, Polaris, or one of the 57 other navigational stars whose coordinates are tabulated in any of the published nautical almanac or air almanacs can also accomplish this same goal.Ĭelestial navigation accomplishes its purpose by use of angular measurements (sights) between celestial bodies and the visible horizon to locate one's position on the Earth, whether on land, in the air or at sea. This angular observation combined with knowing its simultaneous precise time referred to the time at the prime meridian directly renders a latitude and longitude fix at the time and place of the observation by simple mathematical reduction. Celestial navigation can also take advantage of measurements between celestial bodies without reference to the Earth horizon, such as when the Moon and other selected bodies are used in the practice called "lunars" or lunar distance method, used for determining precise time when time is unknown.Ĭelestial navigation by taking sights of the Sun and the horizon whilst on the surface of the Earth is commonly used, providing various methods of determining position, one of which is the popular and simple method called "noon sight navigation"-being a single observation of the exact altitude of the Sun and the exact time of that altitude (known as "local noon")-the highest point of the Sun above the horizon from the position of the observer in any single day. the Sun, the Moon, a planet, or a star) and the visible horizon. ![]() ![]() Navigation using astronomical objects to determine position A diagram of a typical nautical sextant, a tool used in celestial navigation to measure the angle between two objects viewed by means of its optical sightĬelestial navigation uses "sights", or timed angular measurements, taken typically between a celestial body (e.g. ![]()
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