A method for orienting includes: setting a digital optical imaging device including a photosensitive device, a lens, and a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver; allowing an optical axis of the lens to pass through a geometric center of the photosensitive device, so that a celestial body is imaged on the photosensitive device; and positioning a current position by using the GNSS receiver, and recording an accurate time; calculating an accurate azimuth angle of the celestial body at this moment, wherein, at this time, an imaging position of the celestial body on the photosensitive device is located on an extension line of a ligature of the azimuth of the celestial body and a geometric center of the photosensitive device, thereby through accurately extracting the imaging position of the celestial body, a placement orientation of the digital optical imaging device is determined, and a north direction is obtained.

An apparatus for target location is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, which includes a range sensor to generate range data, an image sensor to generate image data, an inertial sensor to generate inertia data, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive the image data from the image sensor and determine a first orientation of the housing and receive the inertia data from the inertial sensor and modify the first orientation based on the inertia data to produce a modified orientation of the housing.

An apparatus for target location is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, which includes a range sensor to generate range data, an image sensor to generate image data, an inertial sensor to generate inertia data, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive the image data from the image sensor and determine a first orientation of the housing and receive the inertia data from the inertial sensor and modify the first orientation based on the inertia data to produce a modified orientation of the housing.

The orientation of imagery relative to a compass bearing may be determined based on the position of the sun or other information relating to celestial bodies captured in the image.

The orientation of imagery relative to a compass bearing may be determined based on the position of the sun or other information relating to celestial bodies captured in the image.

The orientation of imagery relative to a compass bearing may be determined based on the position of the sun or other information relating to celestial bodies captured in the image.

The orientation of imagery relative to a compass bearing may be determined based on the position of the sun or other information relating to celestial bodies captured in the image.

An optical assembly that includes at least one polarizing filter assembly and at least one sensor. The polarizing filter assembly is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by a sun and transmit at least three different portions of EMR towards the at least one sensor, each portion filtered based on a different polarization orientation. A processor device is configured to receive sensor data generated by the at least one sensor in response to receipt of the at least three different portions of EMR, and determine an elevation angle of the sun with respect to a horizon from a geographic location of the optical assembly.

An optical assembly that includes at least one polarizing filter assembly and at least one sensor. The polarizing filter assembly is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by a sun and transmit at least three different portions of EMR towards the at least one sensor, each portion filtered based on a different polarization orientation. A processor device is configured to receive sensor data generated by the at least one sensor in response to receipt of the at least three different portions of EMR, and determine an elevation angle of the sun with respect to a horizon from a geographic location of the optical assembly.

The invention relates to a daytime and nighttime stellar sensor (1), comprising: at least one video camera (2) suitable for taking images of stars (3) in the sky; and a control unit (4), characterized in that it furthermore comprises: a polarizer (5), the control unit (4) being configured: to obtain an estimation of a direction of polarization of the polarized light received from the sky by the video camera (2); and to control the orientation of the polarizer (5) so that said polarizer (5) filters polarized light from the sky directed toward the video camera (2) and having said polarization direction.