I just finished my ten thousandth watch if Moana with my son, and I do not understand how you can travel by holding your hand up to the starry sky. It would make sense if the stars were stationary relative to your position, but they’re not. A star you measure at 10pm is in a completely different position by 2am. I understand the Disney version is an oversimplification, but how does the real thing work?
In: Earth Science
The Disney version wasn’t that simplified. Polynesians really did just use the hands.
The stars move in a very specific way in tandem with each other.
If X shifts to the west, Y will come from the East. These are setting points, so like when the sun sets, you know which way is west and the general time.
As you developed experience, you memorized sets of stars and could navigate that way.
Latest Answers