celestial navigation

noun

1. navigation by means of observations made of the apparent position of heavenly bodies.

celestial navigation

noun

1. Also called: astronavigation. navigation by observation of the positions of the stars

celestial navigation

1. Navigation of a ship or aircraft based on the observed positions of celestial bodies.

2. See more at altazimuth coordinate system

Word History and Origins

Origin of celestial navigation¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The great and the small collide when the Tu‘itonga’s two younger children surprisingly appear on Bird Island, led by the middle son, a “wayfinder” who has learned the sacred craft of celestial navigation.

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Dr. Sharvit speculated that, lacking compasses, astrolabes or sextants, seafarers in the 14th century B.C. probably relied on celestial navigation, taking sightings and angles of the sun and star positions.

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Some examples of ancient TEK include midwifery, celestial navigation and fish conservation.

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Sitting there, appreciating Aiken’s wry assessment of his own uncertain celestial navigation, I wondered what he would make of his hometown’s road map from past to present to future.

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Other, broader impacts could affect life worldwide: the presence of satellites contributes to a background glow in the sky that can disorient animals that rely on celestial navigation.

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