How Sailors Used the Stars to Cross the Seas
Long before compasses, sailors looked to the night sky for guidance.
Finding Direction by the Stars
Navigators used fixed stars, especially Polaris, to determine north. They gauged latitude by measuring a star’s height above the horizon using simple tools like knotted ropes or early astrolabes.
Reading Winds and Seasons
Ancient mariners learned how seasonal winds behaved. In the Indian Ocean, predictable monsoons allowed ships to travel across great distances with remarkable reliability.
Star Maps and Oral Tradition
Cultures like the Polynesians memorized star paths—patterns of rising and setting stars used to travel between islands. Their navigation combined astronomy, wave patterns, clouds, and bird behavior.
A Science Born from Necessity
Astronomy made global travel possible, enabling trade, exploration, and cultural exchange.
