What is more accurate? Navigating by a compass or by the stars and sun.?

Answer 1

Depends. If you are on land, with lots of landmarks (such as mountains, buildings, etc), then a good map and a compass is what you need. You are supposed to use the compass to estimate the relative angles between you and the landmarks.

If you out in the ocean, then the compass is of little use for long journeys, because the compass only tells you which way the boat is pointing, not which way the boat is actually moving (wind and currents). Therefore, sky navigation is the better choice.

Even though navigation by sky is more accurate, you'll need special instruments, including a very accurate clock and a compass. A compass only tells you what direction you're heading. The sky will tell you the lattitude and longitude, which is what you really need to know in order to navigate the open seas.

Sky navigation is not practical on land because you need to see a clear horizon line.

Answer 2

It is actually a little of both. The compass is pretty accurate, but can be disrupted by various kinds of interference. The stars and the sun ae pretty good indicators of North and South but not much use East and West. You also need to see the stars and the sun.

Answer 3

Stars and sun will be more accurate. Magnetic north is not exactly geographic north, and sailors must account for this based on their position. Even the slightest miscalculation can send you miles off course of your destination. Additionally the actual position of magnetic north can shift slightly over the years.
The position of the stars and sun, however, are effectively constant, and can be measured much more precisely than a compass, as they are points in the sky, less than a hundredth of a degree wide, while a compass needle may be several tenths of a degree wide. Star navigation is accurate enough to guide a spacecraft to within millimeters of its target over a multi-year trip.

Answer 4

well first of all a compass will only give you the direction of your heading, in reference to the fixed magnetic pole. and it will not give you your precise location on earth. but by triangulation of the fixed stars and or the sun in the sky, referenced in time, you can determine your precise location on earth. so the answer is celestial navigation is the more precise method between the two. if you discount the third alternative, the loran marine navigation system or whatever is it's modern day counterpart.

Answer 5

Well, to me it depends on how smart you are, but i think both because no matter where you are, the sun will always be there during the day time, but at night time, the stars are def. the best because by using the constillations, you can get yourself going in the right direction. Its sort of a memory thing, because you want to make sure you know what the constillations are. Does that make enough sence?

Answer 6

Compass, for the most part. There will be errors due to magnetic variation and precession. But nav by the stars and sun requires very precise knowledge of astronomy.