Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 8: The shadow point method
• Method 2 of 8: Using the stars: Northern Hemisphere
• Method 3 of 8: Using the stars: Southern Hemisphere
• Method 4 of 8: Using the stars: the equator
• Method 5 of 8: Alternative shadow point method for even more precision
• Method 6 of 8: Viewing method: Northern Hemisphere
• Method 7 of 8: Viewing method: Southern Hemisphere
• Method 8 of 8: Estimating the path of the sun
• Tips
• Warnings

Where is the north? Whether you are lost in the woods or installing a sundial in your garden, you occasionally want to know exactly where north is and usually you don't have a compass to hand. In fact, if you have a compass, it points to magnetic north, and it changes based on where you are.

To step

Method 1 of 8: The shadow point method

1. Stick a stick upright in the ground so you can see the shadow. You can also use the shadow of a fixed object. It works with almost anything, but the longer the object is, the better you can track the movement of the shadow and the narrower the object's tip, the more precise the measurement will be. Make sure the shadow falls on a horizontal, bare spot.
2. Mark the tip of the shadow with something small, such as a pebble or draw a clear line on the ground. Try to make the marker to capture the tip of the shadow as small as possible, but make sure you find the marker later.
3. Wait 10-15 minutes. The tip of the shadow will move in a curved line from west to east.
4. Mark the new position of the shadow point with another small object or a line. The point will probably have shifted only a little.
5. Draw a straight line on the ground between the two marks. This is roughly the east-west line.
6. Stand with the first marker (west) on your left and the other (east) on your right. You are now looking roughly to true north no matter where you are on Earth. The illustration shows that the sun and the marker on Points 1 is what happens in Step 2. At Points 2 it shows what happens at Step 4. This method is based on the fact that the sun moves from east to west across the sky.

Method 2 of 8: Using the stars: Northern Hemisphere

1. Look for the North Star in the evening sky. The pole star is the last star in the stem of the Little Dipper. If you have trouble finding him, find Little Bear first. The two lower stars in the Little Dipper (the outer stars of the Little Dipper's pan) form a straight line pointing to the "North Star". You can also look for the constellation Cassiopeia, which always faces the Little Dipper. The pole star is about halfway between the central star in Cassiopeia and the Little Dipper.
2. Draw an imaginary straight line between the North Star and the ground. This direction is true north, and if you can now find a fixed point in the distance, you can guide yourself there.

Method 3 of 8: Using the stars: Southern Hemisphere

1. Find the Southern Cross. In the Southern Hemisphere you cannot see the North Star and no star always points north or south, but you can use the Southern Cross and the point stars in it as your guide. The Southern Cross consists of five stars, the four brightest of which form a cross hanging to one side.
2. Find the two stars that make up the long axis of the cross. These stars form a line "pointing" to an imaginary point in the sky above the South Pole. Follow this imaginary line down from the stars five times the intermediate distance.
3. From here, draw an imaginary line to the ground and find a suitable fixed point to sail on. Since this is true south, true north (if you look at this point) is right behind you.

Method 4 of 8: Using the stars: the equator

1. The constellation of Orion is visible on both hemispheres, depending on the time of year. It is a permanent presence at the equator.
2. Find the Belt of Orion. Orion has a number of prominent stars. The "belt" (three stars in a row) runs from east to west. Look it up, it has a "sword" attached to it.
3. Project a line from the sword through the center star of the belt. This is roughly the direction of the North.
4. Orion is above the equator: the Riem climbs in the east and descends in the west.

Method 5 of 8: Alternative shadow point method for even more precision

1. Insert a stick into a piece of horizontal ground as perpendicularly as possible and mark the first shadow point as above. for this method, take your first measurement in the morning, at least one hour before noon.
2. Find an object or piece of string or something that is exactly the same length as the shadow.
3. Continue to measure shadow length every 10-20 minutes. The shade gets shorter for 12 hours and then longer again.
4. Measure the shadow when it gets longer again. Use the string or object you used to measure the first shadow. Once the shadow is exactly the same length as the rope (and therefore exactly the same as your first measurement), mark the spot.
5. Draw a line between the first and second mark as you did above. This is your east-west line again, so if you stand with the first mark on the left and the second on the right, you are facing true north.

Method 6 of 8: Viewing method: Northern Hemisphere

1. Use an analog watch (with hands) that keeps time well. Place it horizontally on the floor or in your hand.
2. Point the hour hand at the sun.
3. Divide the angle between the hour hand and 12 o'clock on the watch in half. The center of the angle between the hour hand and 12 o'clock is the north-south line. If you don't know which way is north and which way is south, remember that no matter where you are, the sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. In the northern hemisphere, the sun is exactly south at noon during the day. If your watch is set to winter time, divide the angle between the hour hand and 1 o'clock (noon) on your watch.

Method 7 of 8: Viewing method: Southern Hemisphere

1. As above, use an analog watch and point the 12 o'clock point on the watch toward the sun. If your watch is on winter time, point to the sun by 1 o'clock (noon).
2. Divide the angle between 12 o'clock (or 1 o'clock, if you're using winter time) and the hour hand to find the north-south line. If you don't know what the north is, remember that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west no matter where you are. In the southern hemisphere, however, the sun is exactly in the north at 12 o'clock.

Method 8 of 8: Estimating the path of the sun

1. Understand the path the sun follows. Remember that the sun rises roughly in the east and sets in the west. In between, the sun moves in an arc across the south in the Northern Hemisphere and across the North in the Southern Hemisphere (always in the direction of the equator). This means that early in the morning (shortly after sunrise) the sun is in the east and in the late afternoon (shortly before sunset) in the west.
   • The path of the sun can be very different depending on the time of year, especially if you are far from the equator. In summer, for example, sunrise and sunset are further away from the equator (further north in the northern hemisphere and more south in the southern hemisphere, while in winter they occur more towards the equator. equinox in spring and autumn, the sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west.
   • As a precautionary measure, before you go anywhere, make sure you are aware of the path of the sun in that area and before you might actually need that knowledge. A handy and free web tool is available at http://www.sunearthtools.com/dp/tools/pos_sun.php. In particular, know how the path runs during the solstices and the approximate time associated with sunrise and sunset of these two paths. Knowing this in advance will help you determine the path for this particular day.
2. Find north based on the direction of the sun. If you determine that the sun is facing east (early morning), then north is about a quarter turn counterclockwise (so if you are looking at the sun, turn left). When the sun is west, north is a quarter turn clockwise. When the sun is in the south, the north is right behind you.
   • Around 12 o'clock during the day (depending on whether winter time is observed in your position in the time zone) the sun is exactly in the south in the Northern Hemisphere and exactly in the North in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tips

• When looking for the pole star, it is important to remember that, despite popular belief, the pole star is not the brightest star in the sky. The only special thing is that this star does not move.
• You may need to practice to master these methods, so it's a good idea to try them a few times if you can verify the results. That way you can rely on it when it comes down to it.
• The north-south line runs in the middle between 12 o'clock (or 1 o'clock if you use winter time) and the hour hand. At noon, the sun is exactly in the south in the Northern Hemisphere and exactly in the North in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Using the shading method, your measurements become more precise the longer you wait between measurements.
• In mountainous areas with snow, you can also get a sense of the west / north by looking at which side of the mountains has the most snow. The sides with the most snow usually face north or west.

Warnings

• The pole star is higher in the sky when you are further north and is no longer usable above 70 degrees north longitude.
• The watch method is not recommended at lower latitudes, especially not lower than 20 degrees in any hemisphere.
• The shadow point methods are not recommended around the poles, i.e. above 60 degrees in any hemisphere.