Ancient mariners relied heavily on celestial observations for navigation. The North Star provided a fixed point of reference in the northern hemisphere, while the Southern Cross served the same purpose in the south. Constellations, such as the Big Dipper, aided in determining direction and distance, and astronomical phenomena like lunar phases and solar eclipses helped keep track of time. Navigational instruments like the astrolabe and quadrant allowed sailors to measure angles and calculate latitude, while the compass provided guidance based on Earth’s magnetic fields.
