Escape from Antarctica
Recreates the navigation Ernest Shackleton's crew used on their voyage seeking rescue.
Evolution of the Sextant
Illustrated article including details about dating. Links to antique instruments offered for sale.
John Harrison and the Longitude Problem
The problem, the man, the clocks and the prize. Online exhibit at Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Longitude at Sea
Describes 17th and 18th century use of eclipses of Jupiter's moons to identify position.
Medieval and Twentieth Century Navigation
Methods and equipment used by Columbus and by the Apollo astronauts described, compared, and contrasted.
Navigation Instruments
Brief descriptions, thumbnails, links to other resources.
Secrets of Ancient Navigation
An overview from the PBS show "The Search for Longitude".
The Columbus Navigation Homepage
The history, navigation, and landfall of Christopher Columbus. Includes a timeline of the life and voyages of Columbus.
The History of the Sextant
Transcript of a talk given at the Science Museum of The University of Coimbra. Includes photos of ancient devices.
The History of the Sextant
The evolution from the earliest instruments to the sophisticated devices used today described and illustrated.
The Seamans Secrets
Text from a book originally printed in 1657 that discusses tides, declinations, and other marine navigation topics.
Traditional Navigation in the Western Pacific
Covers the role, techniques, and tools of the Carolinian navigator. From the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
Understanding How Thompson Navigated
About David Thompson's exploration of western Canada and the northwestern United States from 1790 to 1812, using a sextant and compass. From the Northwest Journal.
Wayfinding, or Non-Instrument Navigation
How Polynesians navigated before the invention of the compass, sextant, or clock.