Spectrometers are used for this. By looking at the spectrum of light coming from the star, scientists can tell which elements are in the star by the pattern of lines that are known to be associated with certain elements.
Spectroscopy is the instrument used to collect important information about a star's composition from Earth. By analyzing the light emitted by a star, spectroscopy can reveal the star's chemical elements and their abundance.
The star you're looking for to tell direction is Polaris, the North Star. If you know what time it is, and have an accurate star map, you could use Betelgeuse to tell direction, but it's difficult.
The group of stars known as the Big Dipper (part of Ursa Major) can be used as a star clock to tell time at night. By tracking the position of the Big Dipper in the night sky, you can estimate the time based on its orientation relative to the North Star.
By looking at the lines in a star's spectrum of light, astronomers can tell what kinds of elements the star is made of. This happens because when a beam of light hits an atom or molecule, that atom absorbs a characteristic wavelength (color) of visible light. Scientists have made a huge list of different elements and the different patterns of lines observed in theirj corresponding "spectra" (fancy word for light spectrums), and by using such lists can deduce precisely what each star is made of.
The light from stars can tell us what type of star it is (our Sun is a G type), the stars spectrum can tell us what elements are in the star, and its intristic brightness can help us determine how far away it is. Also, if there is a wobble in the star, or a change it the stars brightness can tell us if it has a planet.
A sextant.
Telescopes?
Whatever Instrument that it turns out to be, my issue is; how do we get to confirm its measurements?
a spectroscope is the instrument used to determine the chemical makeup of a star.
A spectroscope is used to diffuse the light from a star into its spectrum, so that astronomers can analyze the elements that make up the star. The same sort of instrument can be used to analyze the elemental composition of ANYTHING; for terrestrial uses, the instrument is called a spectroGRAPH.
sundial
A barometer is an instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.
they are used to tell stories
Spectroscopy is the instrument used to collect important information about a star's composition from Earth. By analyzing the light emitted by a star, spectroscopy can reveal the star's chemical elements and their abundance.
"Astr" is from the word for "star" and "labe" is from the word "to take". It is an instrument used to take the positions of celestial bodies, hence its label as "star-taker".
You mean a Quill??
Surgical instruments are made from stainless steel.