SkyPole-A method for locating the north celestial pole from skylight polarization patterns.

ABSTRACT: True north can be determined on Earth by three means: magnetic compasses, stars, and via the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), each of which has its own drawbacks. GNSS are sensitive to jamming and spoofing, magnetic compasses are vulnerable to magnetic interferences, and the stars can be used only at night with a clear sky. As an alternative to these methods, nature-inspired navigational cues are of particular interest. Celestial polarization, which is used by insects such as Cataglyphis ants, can provide useful directional cues. Migrating birds calibrate their magnetic compasses by observing the celestial rotation at night. By combining these cues, we have developed a bioinspired optical method for finding the celestial pole during the daytime. This method, which we have

SUBMITTER: Kronland-Martinet T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10374162 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature