In this comprehensive study, Kenneth Morgan provides an authoritative account of European exploration and discovery in Australia. The book presents a detailed chronological overview of European interests in the Australian continent, from initial speculations about the 'Great Southern Land' to the major hydrographic expeditions of the 19th century. In particular, he analyses the early crossings of the Dutch in the 17th century, the exploits of English 'buccaneer adventurer' William Dampier, the famous voyages of James Cook and Matthew Flinders, and the little-known French annexation of Australia in 1772. Introducing new findings and drawing on the latest in historiographical research, this book situates developments in navigation, nautical astronomy and cartography within the broader contexts of imperial, colonial, and maritime history.
At once far flung and intimate, a fascinating look at how finding our way make us human. "A marvel of storytelling." —Kirkus (Starred Review) In this compelling narrative, O'Connor seeks out neuroscientists, anthropologists and master navigators to understand how navigation ultimately gave us our humanity. Biologists have been trying to solve the mystery of how organisms have the ability to migrate and orient with such precision—especially since our own adventurous ancestors spread across the world without maps or instruments. O'Connor goes to the Arctic, the Australian bush and the South Pacific to talk to masters of their environment who seek to preserve their traditions at a time when anyone can use a GPS to navigate. O’Connor explores the neurological basis of spatial orientation within the hippocampus. Without it, people inhabit a dream state, becoming amnesiacs incapable of finding their way, recalling the past, or imagining the future. Studies have shown that the more we exercise our cognitive mapping skills, the greater the grey matter and health of our hippocampus. O'Connor talks to scientists studying how atrophy in the hippocampus is associated with afflictions such as impaired memory, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, depression and PTSD. Wayfinding is a captivating book that charts how our species' profound capacity for exploration, memory and storytelling results in topophilia, the love of place. "O'Connor talked to just the right people in just the right places, and her narrative is a marvel of storytelling on its own merits, erudite but lightly worn. There are many reasons why people should make efforts to improve their geographical literacy, and O'Connor hits on many in this excellent book—devouring it makes for a good start." —Kirkus Reviews
Designed for both land and water use, this comprehensive guide helps unlock the complexity of map and chart reading as it relates to navigation. Beginning with detailed technical descriptions of the tools of navigation—a compass, an altimeter, a GPS system, and a sextant—this handbook shows how to use these tools either individually or in combination with each other to navigate any area. Factors that cause tools and techniques to fail are discussed, such as why an altimeter often shows the wrong elevation, a GPS position is sometimes off track, and the sun often points in an unexpected direction. Twenty-one real-life scenarios provide practical wisdom for even the most intrepid navigator. Specific information on using the moon for directions and the stars for position, measuring boiling water temperature for elevation, map projections, map datums, great circle routes, and the UTM/UPS grid system is included.
Navigating the Night Sky with Stargazers' Almanac In the wides tapestry of the universe, our Earth is but a tiny speck of dust. Yet, every night, as we turn our gazes skyward, we are transported into the boundless expanse of the cosmos. The night sky, adorned with its shimmering stars, holds stories that have captivated humanity for millennia. It's a celestial theatre, where constellations are the actors, and each star, a character in a timeless narrative. Welcome to the "Stargazers' Almanac," your celestial companion for the journey through the inky depths of space. In the pages that follow, we will embark on a voyage through the night sky, guided by the brilliance of stars that have inspired countless dreamers, scientists, and storytellers. These stars, each with its unique story and significance, will be our celestial landmarks. Our first stop on this cosmic odyssey is Pollux, the celestial twin of Castor, found in the constellation Gemini. As we gaze upon Pollux, we'll delve into the myths and science surrounding this luminous gem and its celestial sibling. Next, we'll set our course for Arcturus, the "Bear Guardian," a brilliant star in the constellation Bootes. Arcturus, like a cosmic lighthouse, has guided travellers for centuries and beckons us to explore its stellar neighbourhood. The fiery and unpredictable Betelgeuse in Orion will capture our attention next. As one of the brightest and most variable stars in the night sky, Betelgeuse has mystified and intrigued stargazers throughout history. Rigel, Orion's "Left Foot," will be our fourth stop. This dazzling blue star stands in stark contrast to Betelgeuse and holds its own unique allure. Then, we'll navigate to Sirius, the "Dog Star," in the constellation Canis Major. Brighter than any other star, Sirius has been revered by various cultures and holds a special place in the history of astronomy. As we venture into the cosmic ocean, we will also encounter other celestial wonders like Antares, the heart of Scorpius, and Regulus, the regal star in Leo. Each of these stars has its own tale to tell, and in these pages, we will uncover their secrets. But this almanac is not just about stargazing; it's about understanding the cosmos, embracing the stories woven into the night sky, and kindling the flames of curiosity. It's about exploring the science, mythology, and wonder that surround these celestial beacons. With this almanac in hand, you will embark on a journey of discovery, whether you are a seasoned astronomer or a novice stargazer. Together, we will navigate the night sky, uncovering the mysteries of the stars, and forging a deeper connection with the cosmos. So, dear readers and fellow stargazers, let us embark on this celestial adventure, guided by the stars that have ignited the human imagination for eons. The universe awaits, and the "Stargazers' Almanac" will be your trusted map to the wonders of the night sky.
From the New York Times-bestselling author of The Secret World of Weather and The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs, learn to tap into nature and notice the hidden clues all around you Before GPS, before the compass, and even before cartography, humankind was navigating. Now this singular guide helps us rediscover what our ancestors long understood—that a windswept tree, the depth of a puddle, or a trill of birdsong can help us find our way, if we know what to look and listen for. Adventurer and navigation expert Tristan Gooley unlocks the directional clues hidden in the sun, moon, stars, clouds, weather patterns, lengthening shadows, changing tides, plant growth, and the habits of wildlife. Rich with navigational anecdotes collected across ages, continents, and cultures, The Natural Navigator will help keep you on course and open your eyes to the wonders, large and small, of the natural world.
This open access book presents multidisciplinary research on the cultural history, ethnic connectivity, and oceanic transportation of the ancient Indigenous Bai Yue (百越) in the prehistoric maritime region of southeast China and southeast Asia. In this maritime Frontier of China, historical documents demonstrate the development of the “barbarian” Bai Yue and Island Yi (岛夷) and their cultural interaction with the northern Huaxia (华夏) in early Chinese civilization within the geopolitical order of the “Central State-Four Peripheries Barbarians-Four Seas”. Archaeological typologies of the prehistoric remains reveal a unique cultural tradition dominantly originating from the local Paleolithic age and continuing to early Neolithization across this border region. Further analysis of material culture from the Neolithic to the Early Iron Age proves the stability and resilience of the indigenous cultures even with the migratory expansion of Huaxia and Han (汉) from north to south. Ethnographical investigations of aboriginal heritage highlight their native cultural context, seafaring technology and navigation techniques, and their interaction with Austronesian and other foreign maritime ethnicities. In a word, this manuscript presents a new perspective on the unique cultural landscape of indigenous ethnicities in southeast China with thousands of years’ stable tradition, a remarkable maritime orientation and overseas cultural hybridization in the coastal region of southeast China.
The science and stories behind the remarkable Polynesian settlement of the South Pacific and finally New Zealand, with plentiful illustrations and maps
To the uninitiated, celestial navigation appears to be a somewhat frightening exercise in mathematics. In fact, the maximum mathematics involved in the new sight reduction systems is the addition of three lines of figures. Similarly, the apparent complexities of the solar and stellar systems take on a less frightening appearance when related to the lighthouses and similar earthly objects used for coastal navigation. Throughout this book, the author uses such a comparison between earthly and heavenly objects in explaining the close relationship between coastal and celestial navigation. In doing so, he reduces a complex subject to a simple and interesting one that can be absorbed by even the most non-mathematically minded. The book concentrates for much of its length on the plotting of the boat's position by sun, planets, and stars when out of sight of land. It also deals with related navigational routines such as checking the compass by using heavenly objects, taking radio time signals, and adjusting the sextant for day-to-day corrections. This is celestial navigation in its simplest form, presented in a way which even the most amateur navigator can understand and absorb.
