Disclosed is a system of navigation that is not dependent on man-made satellites. Disclosed is a digital imaging system that may be calibrated using known angular distances and then used to determine unknown angular distances, including the angular distance of celestial bodies above the user's horizon. The digital imaging system may be used in conjunction with a celestial database to determine lines of position and establish a fix revealing the geographic location of the user. The system is expected to be most useful when employed on vessels at sea, including aircraft, and may also be useful on land. The invention offers an alternative to Global Positioning Systems, which are subject to inactivation by governments or traditional mechanical-optical sextants, which are time consuming and cumbersome to use.

Disclosed is a system of navigation that is not dependent on man-made satellites. Disclosed is a digital imaging system that may be calibrated using known angular distances and then used to determine unknown angular distances, including the angular distance of celestial bodies above the user's horizon. The digital imaging system may be used in conjunction with a celestial database to determine lines of position and establish a fix revealing the geographic location of the user. The system is expected to be most useful when employed on vessels at sea, including aircraft, and may also be useful on land. The invention offers an alternative to Global Positioning Systems, which are subject to inactivation by governments or traditional mechanical-optical sextants, which are time consuming and cumbersome to use.

A navigation system operable without a visible horizon is provided. The system can include a collapsible sextant apparatus having a first holder to accommodate a visual spotting scope and a second holder connected to the first holder to accommodate an electronic navigation device. The electronic navigation device can include elevation and timing factors for navigation. The first holder can include a rotatable base extending in a first direction, and a retention element disposed on the rotatable base to retain the visual spotting scope. The second holder can include a longitudinal member to retain the electronic navigation device extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction such that the first holder is disposed substantially perpendicular to the second holder and the visual spotting scope and the electronic navigation device can be aligned at a predetermined angle.

A navigation system operable without a visible horizon is provided. The system can include a collapsible sextant apparatus having a first holder to accommodate a visual spotting scope and a second holder connected to the first holder to accommodate an electronic navigation device. The electronic navigation device can include elevation and timing factors for navigation. The first holder can include a rotatable base extending in a first direction, and a retention element disposed on the rotatable base to retain the visual spotting scope. The second holder can include a longitudinal member to retain the electronic navigation device extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction such that the first holder is disposed substantially perpendicular to the second holder and the visual spotting scope and the electronic navigation device can be aligned at a predetermined angle.

Disclosed is a system of navigation that is not dependent on man-made satellites. Disclosed is a digital imaging system that may be calibrated using known angular distances and then used to determine unknown angular distances, including the angular distance of celestial bodies above the user's horizon. The digital imaging system may be used in conjunction with a celestial database to determine lines of position and establish a fix revealing the geographic location of the user. The system is expected to be most useful when employed on vessels at sea, including aircraft, and may also be useful on land. The invention offers an alternative to Global Positioning Systems, which are subject to inactivation by governments or traditional mechanical-optical sextants, which are time consuming and cumbersome to use.

Technology for determining a position of a platform is described. A location of a horizon line can be determined using a sensor onboard the platform. One or more celestial objects in the sky can be detected using the sensor onboard the platform. Differential angular measurements between the horizon line and at least one of the celestial objects in the sky can be determined over a duration of time. The position of the platform can be determined based on the differential angular measurements between the horizon line and the celestial objects.

Technology for determining a position of a platform is described. A location of a horizon line can be determined using a sensor onboard the platform. One or more celestial objects in the sky can be detected using the sensor onboard the platform. Differential angular measurements between the horizon line and at least one of the celestial objects in the sky can be determined over a duration of time. The position of the platform can be determined based on the differential angular measurements between the horizon line and the celestial objects.