When is the best time for performing Celestial Navigation?

Twilight is considered the best time for performing Celestial Navigation because it provides optimal conditions for observing celestial bodies. During twilight, the sky is dark enough for stars and planets to become visible, but there is still enough residual light from the sun on the horizon that can assist in locating and identifying celestial objects. This phase, occurring just before nightfall or just after dawn, allows navigators to effectively take sightings of stars while still maintaining a degree of visibility of the horizon and other landmarks.

In contrast, performing celestial navigation during midday would be challenging because the sun is typically bright, making it difficult to see stars. Navigating at night is possible, but it lacks the supportive visual cues from the horizon that twilight offers. Daytime navigation has similar drawbacks to midday, with the sun's brightness obscuring the view of celestial bodies, limiting the navigational tools available to mariners. Therefore, twilight strikes a balance that enhances the accuracy of celestial observations for navigation.