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celestial navigation

 

Definitions from WordNet

Noun celestial navigation has 1 sense
  1. celestial navigation, astronavigation - navigating according to the positions of the stars
    --1 is a kind of navigation, pilotage, piloting

Definitions from the Web

Celestial navigation

Description

Celestial navigation refers to the art and science of determining one's position and direction using celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, stars, and planets. It is a traditional method employed by sailors and aviators to navigate their way across large bodies of water or in remote areas where landmarks may be absent.

Senses

Sense 1: Traditional Navigation

In its traditional sense, celestial navigation involves using a sextant or other navigational instruments to measure the angles between celestial bodies and the horizon. By comparing these measurements with precomputed tables, the user can calculate their latitude and longitude, thus determining their position accurately.

Example sentence: Sailors relied heavily on celestial navigation during long voyages across the vast ocean.

Sense 2: Modern Applications

In the modern world, celestial navigation has been largely replaced by GPS technology. However, it still finds applications in diverse fields such as aviation, astronomy, and wilderness survival. It is also pursued as a hobby by enthusiasts interested in learning ancient navigation techniques.

Example sentence: The pilot decided to perform celestial navigation as a backup to the GPS system, ensuring redundancy in case of a technological failure.

Related Products

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