Navigational Tools

Navigational tools

Open Ended

What is the name of this navigational tool?

Telescope

• Gathers more light than the eye, so it makes faint, faraway objects seem brighter and closer. 

• Used by astronomers, scientist who study outer space.

• Enables astronomers to look deeper into our solar system.

Multiple Choice

What are the names of the scientist that study space?

• biologist

• meterologist

• astronomers

Astrolabe

The astrolabe is a tool using the positions of the stars or sun. It was formerly used in navigation to help explorers and sailors figure out where they were. They found their distance north and south of the equator by measuring the distance of the sun and stars above the horizon.

Multiple Select

Which of these can you tell by using an astrolabe? (Check all that apply)

• the time of a sunrise and a sunset

• local time

• local latitude

• locate and predict positions of the sun, moon, planet, and stars.

• determine the angle between a celestial object and the horizon

Multiple Choice

This tool has a magnetic arrow that aligns itself with Earth's magnetic poles and can help ships go in the desired direction.

• Sexrtant

• Astrolabe

• telescope

• Compass

Compass

• A navigational instrument that shows directions – north, south, east, and west. 

• Usually, a diagram called a compass rose, which shows the directions (with their names usually abbreviated to initials), is marked on the compass. 

• When the compass is in use, the rose is aligned with the real directions in the frame of reference, so, for example, the "N" mark on the rose really points to the north. 

Open Ended

Write the name of this navigational tool.

Sextant

• An instrument used to measure the angle between any two visible objects.

• Its primary use is to determine the angle between a celestial object and the horizon which is an essential part of celestial navigation.

• Common uses of the sextant include sighting the sun at solar noon and sighting Polaris at night (in the Northern Hemisphere), to find one's latitude.

Poll

Which tool do you feel will be the most helpful for an astronomer?

• astrolabe

• sextant

• telescope

• compass

Multiple Choice

This tool measures the height of the stars and helps sailors and mariners find their latitude (distance north or south from the Equator)

• astrolabe

• compass

• telescope

Multiple Choice

This tool is used by astronomers to make faint, faraway objects appear brighter and closer.

• telescope

• sextant

• compass

• astrolabe

Multiple Choice

This tool has a magnetic arrow that aligns itself with Earth's magnetic poles and can help ships go in the desired direction.

• telescope

• compass

• sextant

• astrolabe