Religious belief in the heavens

• Before the world understood astronomy and the science behind the universe, they believed that the celestial beings in the sky were connected to their gods and the after life.

Navigation

• Back before the GPS, people had to navigate based on the stars, maps, and where they have been before. Knowing the constellations can help guide your direction (like the North Star).

• Star Navigation was particularly useful for navigators on the open ocean.

Time Keeping

• Again, in the time before smartphones, people used special astronomical tools to keep track of time. During the day, they used sun dials and at night, they used their knowledge of the constellations and the placement of the stars to know the time.