Celestial navigation is a method of determining one’s position on Earth using the positions of celestial bodies, such as the sun, stars, and planets. In the northern hemisphere, celestial navigation involves using the altitude of Polaris, also known as the North Star.
To use celestial navigation, the navigator needs a clear view of the night sky and a tool called a sextant, which is used to measure the angle between the horizon and a celestial object. The navigator takes a series of sightings of Polaris and uses the angle measurements to calculate their latitude, which is their position north or south of the equator.
The altitude of Polaris can be determined by measuring the angle between the horizon and the star using a sextant. Since Polaris is very close to the North Pole, its altitude will be equal to the observer’s latitude. For example, if the navigator measures Polaris to be 45 degrees above the horizon, they are at a latitude of 45 degrees north.
In addition to Polaris, celestial navigation in the northern hemisphere can also involve taking sightings of other stars, the sun, and the moon to determine latitude and longitude. By measuring the altitude of these celestial bodies and using tables and mathematical formulas, the navigator can determine their position on the globe.
These tools can help remind us of our place in the universe and how small our problems are in the scheme of things.