Navigation

Spatial concepts:
local, position, navigation

This lesson covers basic methods for finding one's position on Earth. Latitude can be deduced from the height above the horizon of the pole star or of the noontime Sun, while longitude requires an accurate clock giving universal time. The student will understand how finding one's local longitude requires comparing local time with universal time (UT), which may be obtained from an accurate clock, possibly calibrated by a time signal received by radio. The student will also have an appreciation for the problems of time-keeping, e.g that a pendulum clock will not work well aboard a swaying ship, but a balance-wheel clock may do so, if adjusted for temperature.

Creator: 
David Stern
Cataloged by: 
DLESE Community Collection
Subject(s): 
Space science
sextant
chronometrer
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Science
Earth science
Physical sciences
History of science
Astronomy
Space sciences
Geoscience
Mathematics
Space Science
Technology
Resource type(s): 
Interactive Simulation
Instructional Material
Lesson/Lesson Plan
Ed level(s): 
High School
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Language(s): 
English