Celestial Navigation (12+)

Invest in your safety and the safety of others and learn how to navigate with important directional stars and constellations and without using instruments. Celestial navigation was originally used for sailors crossing vast oceans with the intention of striking land. Astro-navigation is a style of celestial navigation that is still used today in space exploration such as when the Mars missions were guided through the solar system - using the same principals as those used for hundreds of years by sailors. At the Stardome we like to think that in today’s age of modern technological advancements it is always useful to have the traditional techniques on hand should any of your equipment fail. In ‘Celestial Navigation,’ you learn navigational techniques in a fun and entertaining environment. ‘Celestial Navigation’ is a two hour learning session, presented in our Planetarium (360° panoramic theatre). We take you on a guided tour to familiarize yourself with the important directional stars and constellations as seen from New Zealand and other parts of the world. The course is designed to teach participants how to navigate using nothing but the stars and sun. You should leave equipped with a basic understanding of this course-plotting technique. Here’s your chance to learn this time-honored skill in an interactive environment! ‘Celestial Navigation’ evenings are held only on the last Tuesday of every month. The course is suitable for beginners with limited or no knowledge of astronomy.