Re: Since a compass will not work on the moon, how can you find your way?

Hello Patrick,

There is a system of latitude and longitude established for the Moon. Like the Earth the north and south poles of the system are established by the rotation of the Moon. One complete spin of the Moon about its axis takes about 27 Earth-days. Location of craters and such can be accomplished with this coordinate system. Navigation on the Moon would best be accomplished by the stars as it is on Earth. While a magnetic compass is useful for giving one a rough sense of direction on Earth, the magnetic poles of the Earth are not aligned with the geographic poles. So following a magnetic compass pointing north would not necessarily lead one to the North Pole of Earth.

One can locate their location on Earth via the stars so long as they have a way to measure angles in the sky accurately and a precise and accurate clock. The same is possible on the Moon.

In the long run I suppose the best way to navigate on the surface of the Moon would be if there were a satellite positioning system in orbit about the Moon as there is now about the Earth.

Hope that answers your question.

-Bryan
bmendez@astro.berkeley.edu