11 Facts About Celestial navigation

Celestial navigation, known as astronavigation, is the practice of position fixing using stars and other celestial bodies that enables a navigator to accurately determine their actual current physical position in space without having to rely solely on estimated positional calculations, commonly known as "dead reckoning", made in the absence of satellite navigation or other similar modern electronic or digital positioning means.

Celestial navigation can 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.

Celestial 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 —the highest point of the Sun above the horizon from the position of the observer in any single day.

Celestial navigation accomplishes its purpose by use of angular measurements between celestial bodies and the visible horizon to locate one's position on the Earth, whether on land, in the air or at sea.

Joshua Slocum used both noon sight and star sight Celestial navigation to determine his current position during his voyage.

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When time at the prime meridian is accurately enough known, celestial navigation can determine longitude, and the more accurately latitude and time are known, the more accurate is the longitude determination.

Celestial navigation continues to be used by private yachtsmen, and particularly by long-distance cruising yachts around the world.

For small cruising boat crews, celestial navigation is generally considered an essential skill when venturing beyond visual range of land.

Celestial navigation was used in commercial aviation up until the early part of the jet age; early Boeing 747s had a "sextant port" in the roof of the cockpit.

Variation on terrestrial celestial navigation was used to help orient the Apollo spacecraft en route to and from the Moon.

X-ray pulsar-based Celestial navigation and timing is an experimental Celestial navigation technique whereby the periodic X-ray signals emitted from pulsars are used to determine the location of a vehicle, such as a spacecraft in deep space.