North error estimation based on solar elevation errors in the third step of sky-polarimetric Viking navigation.

ABSTRACT: The theory of sky-polarimetric Viking navigation has been widely accepted for decades without any information about the accuracy of this method. Previously, we have measured the accuracy of the first and second steps of this navigation method in psychophysical laboratory and planetarium experiments. Now, we have tested the accuracy of the third step in a planetarium experiment, assuming that the first and second steps are errorless. Using the fists of their outstretched arms, 10 test persons had to estimate the elevation angles (measured in numbers of fists and fingers) of black dots (representing the position of the occluded Sun) projected onto the planetarium dome. The test persons performed 2400 elevation estimations, 48% of which were more accurate than ±1°. We selected three test pers

SUBMITTER: Szaz D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4971242 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature