How do Vikings use sunstones for navigation in cloudy or foggy conditions?

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SUMMARY

Vikings utilized sunstones, specifically tourmaline, for navigation during overcast conditions by leveraging the polarization of sunlight. The sky's polarization occurs at 90 degrees to the Sun, allowing navigators to determine the Sun's position by using a polarizer aimed at the sky. This technique enables them to identify the Sun's location even when it is obscured by clouds or fog. The effectiveness of tourmaline as a polarizer in these experiments is confirmed, making it a reliable tool for Viking navigation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of light polarization and its principles
  • Familiarity with the properties of tourmaline as a polarizing crystal
  • Basic knowledge of Viking navigation techniques
  • Experience with experimental methods in optics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of tourmaline and its effectiveness as a polarizer
  • Explore the principles of light polarization and its applications in navigation
  • Learn about historical Viking navigation methods and tools
  • Investigate modern experiments replicating Viking navigation techniques using polarizers
USEFUL FOR

Historians, archaeologists, educators, and anyone interested in ancient navigation methods and the science of light polarization.

M.KALEM
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I am studying about vikings navigation . Vikings use sunstones (e.g. tourmaline) for navigation in cloudy or foggy days. How can they do that? May be they can describe sun position with polarizer cyristal. If it is like that, What is the relationship between navigation and sun position?
 
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See this: http://www.polarization.com/viking/viking.html

Essentially, the sky is polarized at 90 degrees to the Sun. If you get a polarizer, aim it at a certain piece of sky, and use it to find the polarization direction, the Sun will be in one of the perpendicular directions.
 
why 90 degree? Which polarizer should I use? If I use tourmaline Will experiment be successful?
 

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