Celestial Navigation via Spectral Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Celestial navigation is hindered by its dependence on clear weather conditions, making it difficult to identify celestial objects in cloudy environments, especially when only one or two stars are visible, leading to navigational uncertainty.
Innovation Solution
A method using an optical device to capture the spectrum of celestial objects, comparing absorption and emission line data with a reference database to identify the object, and calculating geographical position using the object's angle and time of observation, allowing for a navigational fix even with a single visible object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional celestial navigation methods are used relying on visual identification of multiple stars, then navigation accuracy is maintained under clear skies, but the system becomes unreliable under partial or complete cloud cover when only one or two stars are visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spectral analysis as an intermediary method to identify celestial objects. Instead of directly visually identifying stars through patterns, the system captures spectral data from the visible star(s) and uses automated spectral matching algorithms to identify them, serving as a mediator between the celestial object and the navigation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual process of human star pattern recognition with an automated optical and computational system. The system uses spectrographs to capture spectral signatures and computer algorithms to match them against databases, substituting the manual mechanical process of visual identification with an automated scientific measurement system.
2Ease of operation
If only one or two stars are visible under partial cloud cover, then the ability to form recognizable star patterns is lost, but the invention enables identification through spectral analysis of individual stars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the identification parameter from spatial relationships (star patterns and relative positions) to spectral characteristics (absorption lines, emission lines, and spectral signatures). This parameter change allows identification to proceed even when spatial pattern information is lost due to limited visibility of only one or two stars.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-compiling databases of spectral signatures for known navigational stars before the actual navigation task. This pre-prepared reference data allows the system to quickly match and identify stars during observation without needing to rely on real-time pattern recognition, enabling operation with minimal visible stars.
3Measurement precision
If multiple stars are observed to form patterns for identification, then accurate navigation is achieved, but the complexity of the observation and identification process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification function from the multi-star pattern recognition process and isolates it to a single-star spectral analysis process. By taking out the pattern recognition requirement and replacing it with spectral signature matching, the system achieves the same identification accuracy with fewer stars, thereby reducing observational complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enhances the usability of celestial navigation in cloudy conditions by enabling identification and positioning based on a single celestial object, reducing uncertainty and improving accuracy through pattern matching and spectral analysis.
Implementation Method 1
directing an optical device at a celestial object to receive electromagnetic radiation therefrom
Implementation Method 2
diffracting or refracting the electromagnetic radiation to obtain a spectrum of the celestial object
Implementation Method 3
diffracting or refracting the electromagnetic radiation to obtain a spectrum of the celestial object
Data Source
AI summary
A celestial navigation system includes an optical device for receiving light from a celestial object, a spectrometer for measuring a spectrum of the light in sufficient detail to identify absorption and/or emission features, and a processor for processing the spectrum to match the spectrum, or a processed version thereof, against a set of reference spectra information in a database, a device for measuring the pointing direction of the optical device and a clock. The matching may be on a maximum likelihood basis. The system is thus able, on identification of a single star, and, using commonly available navigational almanacs, to calculate a geographical position. Celestial navigation takes place even when only one celestial object (that is also within the database) is visible, although improved accuracy may be obtained with multiple observations. Advantageously, the database includes stars of the K and/or M type, that have more characteristic spectral content.