celestial navigation

noun

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

celestial navigation

noun

1. navigation by observation of the positions of the stars Also calledastronavigation

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

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.

From New York Times

Deep Sea Vision searched the ocean floor using what searchers have called the “Date Line theory,” which holds that Noonan miscalculated his celestial navigation when the pair flew across the International Date Line, throwing off their route by about 60 miles, according to a statement from the company.

From Los Angeles Times

The year is 1937, and a plane equipped with all of the latest equipment — relying on both radio and celestial navigation and flown by one of the most famous aviators in the world — goes missing in the Pacific Ocean.

From Los Angeles Times

“They looked at the sky differently than most people and used celestial navigation to become the world’s greatest explorers. They were wayfinders, working with a thousand points of light in the sky to find their way to the islands dotting the Pacific!”

From Literature

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

From Scientific American