28/01/2025

^{We took multiple tube rides before hopping onto the Uber Boat along the River Thames. The journey itself was an experience—I got to see Big Ben, Parliament, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge, all from the unique perspective of the river. It was a fantastic way to get into the city before arriving at our destination.}

Exploring the Royal Observatory

Algorithms and Navigation: A Matter of Life and Death

One of my biggest takeaways from the visit was the determination of early scientists who continued to research, experiment, and refine their understanding of navigation. Out of sight of land, how can you tell where you are? That question drove centuries of innovation.

The Royal Observatory played a key role in solving this problem through mapping and precise calculations—essentially early forms of algorithms. Navigational techniques rely on sequences of logical steps, much like modern-day computer algorithms. One of the most fascinating aspects was getting to stand on the 0-degree longitude of the Prime Meridian—the very reference point used for global navigation.

Thinking about algorithms in this context was eye-opening. The observatory’s history is deeply connected to computational problem-solving. The early methods of determining longitude can be seen as a type of algorithmic approach—breaking down a large, complex problem into smaller, more manageable steps to ensure accuracy. Today, GPS systems rely on similar principles, just with much more advanced technology.