What is Bearing (navigation)?
[[File:Bremerhaven Oberfeuer 04.jpg|thumb|[[Lighthouse]]s, such as this one in [[Bremerhaven]] can be used for reference.]] [[File:Lanthan HF102.jpg|thumb|close up of a signal (for an obstacle), used in [[aviation]]]] In [[navigation]], the word '''bearing''' is used for different methods that try to find out the [[angle]] between an object used for this purpose, and a reference direction. There are different [[system of reference|system]]s of reference that can be used for this. A system of reference that is commonly used is that of [[Cardinal direction]]s, as they can be found with a [[compass]]. The direction a ship is pointed can also be the reference. Points that can easily be determined, and that move very little, can be taken as reference. Such points include [[star]]s, [[mountain]]s, the [[sun]], and [[beacon]]s. Beacons come in the form of [[lighthouse]]s on the coast, but also as electric beacons or other [[sea mark]]s on the open sea. Bearings can be measured different ways. Optical bearings rely on visual information, other systems rely on [[radar]] for tools. [[Category:Navigation]]