What is the Polynesian star compass?

• A. A compass using magnetic needles
• B. A star chart with Polaris
• C. A device that measures the sun's shadow
• D. A mental map dividing the horizon into 32 houses to track rising and setting points of stars for direction

Answer: (D)

The Polynesian star compass is a mental map navigators used to turn the sky into directions. They divided the horizon into 32 distinct sectors, or houses, and tied each sector to the rising or setting points of specific stars. By knowing which stars would rise or set in which part of the horizon at a given time and location, a navigator could maintain a course across open oceans without relying on any physical needle or shadow measurement. This approach is different from using magnetic compasses, which point to magnetic north, or a sun-dial type device, which uses the sun’s shadow, or a chart centered on Polaris, which isn’t the basis for their method. The star compass lives in the navigator’s memory as a structured map of star paths across the horizon, guiding direction through the changing night sky.