Modern Navigation
MIT OpenCourseWare's introduction to navigation covers celestial and satellite-based techniques, from astronomical observations to GPS positioning. Topics include radio navigation systems, how conventional celestial results compare against GPS readings, and the effects of Selective Availability and anti-spoofing on GPS accuracy. Laboratory sessions put students behind sextants and astronomical telescopes and out in the field with GPS receivers, connecting the math to hands-on measurement. The course surveys application areas including ship, automobile, and aircraft navigation, with attention to very precise positioning tasks that go beyond ordinary wayfinding. Materials include lecture notes and lab assignments published freely under MIT's OpenCourseWare program, with no enrollment or certificate attached. It suits students in earth and planetary sciences or engineering who want to understand how navigation has shifted from stars and sextants to satellites, without losing the older methods that still back them up.