A beacon, in the context of navigation, is a fixed equipment or device that serves as an aid for directionality or positioning, and it is attached directly to the Earth's surface. The purpose of a beacon is to assist navigators in finding their path or guiding their course, both during day and night. It can be a lighted aid, where artificial light or luminary features, such as lighthouses or light towers, are used to emit signals or flashes. These lights are typically high intensity and visible from great distances. Alternatively, beacons may also be unlighted, called day beacons, which rely on natural sunlight and contrast with the surroundings for visibility. These could include structures like towers, poles, or posts often marked with distinctive colours, patterns, or navigational symbols. Both types of beacons mark safe or navigable routes or warn of hazards and obstructions.

1. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse: Located in the United States, it is one of the famous lighthouses and serves as an important navigational aid for ships at sea. 2. Eiffel Tower: Although not originally intended as a beacon, the Eiffle Tower, with its powerful lights, now serves as a navigational aid for boats on the Seine River as well as aircraft. 3. Day Beacon in the Florida Keys: This is an example of an unlit beacon that is used during daylight hours to help boats navigate the shallow waters and reefs in the area. 4. The Statue of Liberty: This renowned monument in New York Harbor is not only a symbol of freedom, but its torch also serves as a navigational beacon for ships entering and leaving the harbor. 5. Diamond Head Lighthouse: Located in Honolulu, this lighthouse serves as a navigational aid for ships traveling in the Pacific Ocean, helping them avoid the hazardous shoals around the Hawaii island.

Fun Fact: Did you know that the world's oldest surviving lighthouse is the Tower of Hercules? It's a Roman lighthouse located in northwestern Spain that dates back to the 2nd century AD and has served as a beacon for navigation throughout its entire existence. What makes it even more remarkable is that it's not just a historical monument—it is still in use today! That's approximately 1,900 years of service as a beacon, guiding ships from the Atlantic Ocean into the harbor of La Coruña. As you might imagine, the lighthouse has undergone various restorations over its long existence, but it has maintained its beacon function without interruptions - thanks to state-of-the-art optical and illumination systems that have been installed to modernize the lighthouse infrastructure. This beacon truly symbolizes the blend of historical design with modern technology!