Navigating by the stars

In this activity, students learn the cardinal points of the compass. They also learn how to use the Sun and star constellations – the Southern Cross and the Pointers – to identify the cardinal compass points.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

• recall the cardinal compass points

• explain how the compass points relate to the South and North Poles

• use the rising or setting Sun to determine east and west (and therefore north and south)

• locate the Southern Cross

• use the Southern Cross and the Pointers to locate the Southern Celestial Pole (SCP)

• use the Southern Cross to determine compass points and therefore direction.

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

• introduction/background notes

• what you need

• what to do

• student handout.

Related content

Astronomical techniques involve knowledge of the night sky and are useful for wayfinding. Find out more in these articles:

• The star compass (kāpehu whetū) uses cardinal directions and 220 stars to show where stars will rise and set on the celestial equator.

• The celestial sphere uses reference points like the horizon, the zenith and stars’ altitude to determine direction.

• Navigating with Sun, Moon and planet looks at how the rising and setting of the Sun and Moon and recognisable planets are useful for wayfinding.

Activity ideas

Try these related activities:

• How’s your memory? involves the memorisation of the star compass components – just like the real navigators.

• Compass treasure hunt uses knowledge of the Sun and Moon to make compass directions and uses these directions in a treasure hunt.