tähtienavauksen

SternNavigation, also known as tähtienavauksen in Finnish, is a method of navigation that relies on observing and using celestial bodies, primarily stars, to determine a position. This technique has been fundamental to seafaring, aviation, and exploration for millennia, predating modern electronic navigation systems. The core principle involves measuring the angle between a celestial object and the horizon, or between two celestial objects.

Historically, navigators used tools like the astrolabe, sextant, and quadrant to make these measurements. By observing the altitude of known stars at specific times, navigators could calculate their latitude and, with greater complexity and the use of accurate chronometers, their longitude. The predictability of celestial movements and the ability to observe them from virtually anywhere on Earth made stern navigation a reliable and universal method.

While modern GPS and other satellite-based systems have largely supplanted stern navigation for everyday use, the principles remain important in certain contexts. It is still taught in maritime and aviation training as a backup system and for situations where electronic systems might fail. Furthermore, understanding stern navigation provides insight into the history of exploration and the ingenuity of early navigators who charted the globe using only the stars and their knowledge. The practice requires a deep understanding of astronomy, mathematics, and the use of specialized instruments.