Navigator

High school (ages 12+)
Transportation

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/navigator

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 core function?Ensuring the precise and continuous determination of a vessel's or aircraft's position
2. What is the historical foundation?Celestial navigation, utilizing astronomical observations for position fixing
3. What does a navigator do on a ship or plane?A navigator keeps track of the craft’s position, plans the best route, and watches for any dangers along the way.
4. How did ancient navigators find their way?They used the sun, moon, and stars, and tools like the astrolabe and sextant to measure angles and figure out where they were.

Celestial Navigation: The process of finding one's position on Earth by observing the altitudes of celestial bodies.
Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS): A computer-based system that displays electronic navigational charts and integrates position information.
Redundancy: The inclusion of extra components or systems that can take over if a primary one fails.