Marine navigation

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/marine-navigation

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the foundational knowledge domains?Physics, mathematics, oceanography, cartography, and astronomy are integral to marine navigation
2. How did sailors find their way before GPS?Before GPS, sailors used the sun, moon, stars, and the wind to tell direction. They also looked at waves and used a magnetic compass to keep their bearings.
3. Why is GPS so important for ships today?GPS gives ships exact position, speed, and time all the time. This helps them avoid collisions, reach ports on schedule, and keep the world’s trade moving smoothly.

Celestial Navigation: Determining a vessel's position by measuring the angles of celestial bodies above the horizon.
Inertial Navigation System (INS): A system that uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to track a vessel's position and orientation without external references.
ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System): A computer-based system that displays electronic nautical charts and integrates navigation information.