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Questions and Answers
What is the principle of celestial navigation?
Which method of celestial navigation uses the Sun's highest point in the sky to determine latitude?
What is the angle between a celestial object and the horizon?
What is the purpose of a sextant?
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Which of the following is an application of celestial navigation?
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What is the purpose of a planisphere?
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Study Notes
Definition and Principle
- Celestial navigation is the practice of navigating using astronomical objects, such as the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars.
- It is based on the principle that the position of these objects in the sky can be used to determine one's location on the Earth's surface.
Methods
- Sextant Method: uses a sextant to measure the angle between the Sun, Moon, or stars and the horizon.
- Noon Sun Method: uses the Sun's highest point in the sky to determine latitude.
- Star Method: uses the position of specific stars to determine latitude and longitude.
Key Concepts
- Altitude: the angle between a celestial object and the horizon.
- Azimuth: the direction of a celestial object from the observer.
- Latitude: the angle between the observer's location and the equator.
- Longitude: the angle between the observer's location and the prime meridian.
Instruments
- Sextant: a handheld instrument used to measure the angle between celestial objects and the horizon.
- Astrolabe: an ancient instrument used to measure the position of celestial objects.
- Planisphere: a circular star chart used to identify celestial objects.
Applications
- Maritime Navigation: used for centuries in maritime navigation to determine ship's position and course.
- Aviation: used in aviation to determine aircraft position and course.
- Space Exploration: used in space exploration to determine the position and trajectory of spacecraft.
Celestial Navigation
- Celestial navigation determines one's location on the Earth's surface by using astronomical objects like the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars.
Methods
- The Sextant Method measures the angle between celestial objects and the horizon using a sextant.
- The Noon Sun Method determines latitude using the Sun's highest point in the sky.
- The Star Method determines latitude and longitude using the position of specific stars.
Key Concepts
- Altitude is the angle between a celestial object and the horizon.
- Azimuth is the direction of a celestial object from the observer.
- Latitude is the angle between the observer's location and the equator.
- Longitude is the angle between the observer's location and the prime meridian.
Instruments
- A sextant is a handheld instrument used to measure the angle between celestial objects and the horizon.
- An astrolabe is an ancient instrument used to measure the position of celestial objects.
- A planisphere is a circular star chart used to identify celestial objects.
Applications
- Celestial navigation has been used for centuries in maritime navigation to determine a ship's position and course.
- It is used in aviation to determine an aircraft's position and course.
- It is used in space exploration to determine the position and trajectory of spacecraft.
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Description
This quiz covers the principles and methods of celestial navigation, including the use of astronomical objects to determine one's location on the Earth's surface. It includes the Sextant Method and the Noon Sun Method.
