In the 1600s, sailors primarily used celestial navigation to find their way at sea, relying on tools like the astrolabe and cross-staff to measure the angle of stars above the horizon. They also utilized magnetic compasses for direction and logs to estimate speed and distance traveled. Maps and charts, although not always accurate, were essential for plotting courses. Additionally, dead reckoning, which involved calculating one's current position based on a previously known position, was commonly used.
What points did sailors use to navigate
Well, on MY planet, there is only one moon. Not sure about your planet. Here the sailors generally do not navigate by the moon- but they do use stars. In the north, sailors use the Pole Star, also called the North Star or Polaris. In the far south, you can't see Polaris, so sailors use other groups of stars, like the Southern Cross.
compass
With Compasses and maps
The sailors used the positions of celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars, as a frame of reference for navigation at sea. By tracking these celestial bodies, sailors could determine their position and navigate their ships accordingly.
Ancient sailors used the stars to navigate between ports.
Sailors focused on the stars to navigate through unknown territory
Sailors used celestial navigation techniques to navigate at sea by observing the positions of stars, the sun, and the moon. By studying these celestial bodies, sailors could determine their location, heading, and time of day, allowing them to navigate long distances and accurately reach their destinations.
Polaris, the North Star.
The moon and stars.
Navigators can use a magnetic compass to determine which way is North even when they can't see the North Star.
So that they can know where theyre and can navigate