An astrocompass is a navigational tool for determining the direction of true north through the positions of various astronomical bodies. It is an evolution of earlier solar compass designs.
World War II Astrocompass dials and adjustments
Burt's solar compass or astronomical compass/sun compass is a surveying instrument that makes use of the Sun's direction instead of magnetism. William Austin Burt invented his solar compass in 1835. T
William Austin Burt's solar compass
Line illustration of his solar compass from 1836 US patent documentation
Burt's solar compass axes