Before GPS became a standard feature in cars, smartphones, ships, and aircraft, people relied on clever tools, scientific ...

Nocturnal insects may use both Earth's magnetic field and visual cues to guide their migratory flight behaviors, according to recent findings. The research, published in eLife, presents compelling ...

For decades, scientists have known that migratory birds use Earth’s geomagnetic field—along with light, stars, and other cues—to guide them on remarkably long journeys. But it is unclear just how ...

Discover the incredible secrets of animal navigation! Learn how birds, whales, and insects master Earth's invisible paths using celestial compasses, magnet ...

How do living creatures manage to reach their destinations without getting lost in the vast ocean or the night sky, where ...

Some inventions are so simple that it’s hard to improve them. The magnetic compass is a great example — a magnetized needle, a bit of cork, and a bowl of water are all you need to start navigating the ...

Navigation of the world’s wild places using a compass and paper map is a must-have skill. With it, you’ll always find your way home. Little magnetic needles have been pointing the way for explorers ...

Desert ants find their way during an early learning phase with the help of the Earth's magnetic field. The associated learning process leaves clear traces in their nervous system. They are only a few ...

They are only a few centimeters tall and their brains have a comparatively simple structure with less than 1 million neurons. Nevertheless, desert ants of the Cataglyphis genus possess abilities that ...