Celestial Navigation (by the sky)
Granted, navigation of this sort will most often only be used in
emergencies or for fun at night while camping. Additionally, without
a sextant and/or analogue watch, celestial navigation is really only good
for ascertaining the cardinal directions (north, south, east and west) and
a few rough divisions between them.
North Star (Polaris)
First, the North Star is NOT the brightest star in the sky!!! In
fact, it is a rather dim, insignificant looking star. Further, it is
only visible in the northern hemisphere, and only useful in a particular
range of latitudes. At or near the north pole, the North Star will
sit directly overhead (or nearly overhead) making it useless.
Further, at the equator, it will sit on the horizon where you won't be
able to see it due to either foliage or haze in the atmosphere.
Sun
Do not forget that the sun is a star, and one may navigate by it just
as well as by the north star.
If you are in the northern hemisphere, the Sun will reside in the
southern sky and vice-versa.
Moon
Like the sun, the Moon rises in the east and sets in the west every
day. If you are in the northern hemisphere, the Moon will reside in
the southern sky and vice-versa.
Southern Cross
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