What instrument is used for Celestial Navigation (Cell Nav)?

Celestial navigation primarily relies on the use of a sextant. This instrument allows navigators to measure the angle between a celestial body, such as the sun or a star, and the horizon. By determining this angle, navigators can establish their latitude and, when combined with other measurements and tools, also ascertain their longitude. The sextant is crucial in this process because it provides the necessary angles and data needed to calculate a vessel's position on the earth's surface in relation to celestial bodies.

While GPS offers modern navigators an easy and precise way to determine their position using satellite signals, it does not employ the principles of celestial navigation and relies instead on technology that many traditional mariners may not fully understand or trust in all circumstances. A chronometer is essential for accurate timekeeping in celestial navigation; it helps ensure that the time of the celestial measurements is known precisely. However, it cannot provide the positional data by itself without the angle measurements obtained through a sextant. The compass, while useful for determining the vessel's heading relative to magnetic north, does not assist in determining position on the globe using celestial bodies, which is fundamental to celestial navigation.