Question

before invention of the compass sailors used stars to find directions. in what ways is using a compass better

Answer 1

The position estimate through the star is not accurate. Some times people get confused among the stars and are unable to predict accurately. so in this way compass is better than stars 

Answer 2

Before the invention of the compass, people used landmarks, stars, and the sun to find the direction. For example the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. There are special angles of constellations that help to tell the direction. For instance the North Star can be used to tell where North is, as it is directly over the North Pole and is the first star to be seen at night. The Great Bear, Big Dipper and Plow have lines that lead to the North Star. It is not very easy to find the South star but the Southern Cross and Pointers lead to the South Pole. Their line crosses at the South Pole. Now people use a compass to determine the direction as it is more accurate.