The ability to determine the four cardinal directions-north, south, east and west-in a variety of ways can help you win your orientation challenge, help you find your way if you change course, or even save your life if you get lost alone in a strange place. There are several easy ways to determine directions, if you don't have a compass or cell phone, you can still determine the direction of north, south, east, and west.
Step
Method 1 of 7: Using Stick Shadow
Step 1. Prepare the equipment you will need
From sunrise in the east to sunset in the west, the shadow it forms will always move in the same direction, and you can observe its movement to determine the direction. To practice this method, you will need:
- Straight sticks between 60 to 150 cm. long
- Straight stick about 30 cm long
- Two stones or other objects (heavy enough that the wind can't shake them).
Step 2. Insert the stick into the ground in an upright position
Place one of the stones on the ground to mark the end of the stick's shadow.
Step 3. Wait for 15 to 20 minutes
The shadow of the stick is about to move. Take the second stone and mark the new position of the shadow end of the stick.
If you can, wait longer, and place more stones to mark the changing position of the shadow
Step 4. Connect the dots
Draw a straight line on the ground between the two marks or use another stick to connect the dots and make a straight line. The shadows move in the opposite direction from the sun, so the line you draw represents an east-west line: the first point represents west and the second point represents east.
If you don't remember the order of the cardinal directions, start with North and move clockwise, using memorization techniques, such as:
Ujang Tno Suka Boil.
Alternatively, draw a clock with directions North at 12:00, East at 3:00, South at 6:00, and West at 9:00.
Note that this method is only an estimate, and can be off by 23 degrees or more
Method 2 of 7: Using Chakras/Shadow Wheel
Step 1. Gather your equipment
This method is similar to the stick method, but is more reliable because it uses a longer observation time. Find a level ground and collect your gear:
- Sticks or poles about 60 to 150 cm long
- Spiky little stem
- Two small stones
- Something resembling a long rope/thread
Step 2. Drive a long stick into the ground
Implanting must be done before noon. Then, place the stone at the end point of the shadow of the stick/pole.
Step 3. Tie the rope to the pointed rod and pole
Tie one end of the rope to a small pointed rod, and the other end to a pole, just making sure the rope is long enough to reach the rock that has been placed on the ground.
Step 4. Draw a circle around the post
With the rock as a starting point, use the pointed rod attached to the pole to draw a circle in the ground around the pole.
Step 5. Wait
When finally the shadow of the pole hits the circle again, mark the point of contact with another stone.
Step 6. Connect the two dots
The straight line connecting the first stone to the second stone is an east-west line, with the first stone representing the west direction and the second stone representing the east direction.
To find north and south of this point, north would be clockwise from west, while south would be clockwise from east
Method 3 of 7: Navigating with the Help of Natural Environment
Step 1. Find the position of the sun at midday
At noon, the sun can point north and south. Thus, the east and west directions can be known. However, the direction shown is not true north or south (note: true direction refers to the direction according to the earth's axis). In the Northern Hemisphere, walking straight to the sun's position at midday will lead you to the south, while walking straight away from the sun's position will lead you to the north. In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite is true: walking toward the sun's position at midday will lead you to the north, and away from the sun's position will lead you to the south.
Step 2. Use the sunrise and sunset positions to estimate the direction
Every day, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so you can use both locations to estimate your direction. Face the rising sun you are facing east; north will be on your left and south on your right. Face the sunset and you are facing west; north will be on your right and south on your left.
The location of sunrise and sunset gives an approximate direction for only 363 days of the year, because the sun rises directly in the east and sets right in the west only at the vernal equinox (first day of spring) and autumnal equinox (first day of autumn)
Step 3. Watch how the trees grow
While using trees to determine direction is neither an exact science nor an accurate method, it can often provide a basic idea of the cardinal directions. Living in a region north of the equator/equator, the sun is usually in the southern sky, the opposite is true in the southern region of the equator. This means that the foliage will tend to be thicker and denser on the south side of the tree or shrub. The opposite is true in the Southern Hemisphere, where the trees will be more fertile on the north side.
Many guide books say that in the Southern Hemisphere moss only grows on the south side of trees, but this is not true. However, while moss can grow on any side of a tree, it is true to say that moss will often be thicker on the shaded side of the tree (i.e. on the north side in the Northern Hemisphere, or the south side in the Southern Hemisphere)
Step 4. Determine the direction with the analog clock and the sun
The sun can be used in conjunction with a non-digital (analog) watch to predict the major cardinal directions-north, south, east and west-if you get lost in the woods but at least wear a watch. In the Northern Hemisphere, point the short hand on your watch at the sun. South will be midway between the 12 and the short hand. In the Southern Hemisphere, align the 12 on your watch with the sun, and the midpoint between the 12 and the short hand will point north.
- If you're facing north, your right is east and your left is west. If you're facing south, east is on your left and west is on your right.
- During summer, use one o'clock as a reference instead of 12 o'clock on the watch.
- For this method to work, your watch must be set to show the correct time. This method can also have an error rate of about 35 degrees, so it's only accurate for estimating direction.
Method 4 of 7: Polaris Assisted Navigation (North Star)
Step 1. Get to know Polaris (North Star)
In the Northern Hemisphere, Polaris, also known as the North Star, can be used to help locate north. Using the help of the North Star is the fastest way to determine your position at night if you don't have a compass or GPS (Global Positioning System).
Polaris, or the North Star, is one of the brightest stars in the night sky. Because in the sky the star is around the North Pole, and doesn't move much around it, it means that the star is useful and accurate for navigation purposes
Step 2. Find Polaris (North Star)
Look for the Constellations of the Big Dipper (Big Dipper or Ursa Major, also known as the Plow) and the Constellations of the Little Bear (Little Dipper or Ursa Minor). Imagine the shape of the Big Dipper Constellation resembling a scoop (hence the reason for its name), where the handle holds a cup, and the outer edge of the cup (which is furthest from the stem) passes through the sky towards the North Star. To emphasize, the North Star is the last star to form the stalk of the Little Bear (Ursa Minor).
Step 3. Draw an imaginary line from Polaris (North Star) to the ground
The position is approximately true north. When you face Polaris, you are facing true north; behind you is true south, and true west will be on your left, while true east will be on your right. (Note: all directions are referred to as true cardinal directions, meaning they correspond to the direction of the earth's axis.)
Method 5 of 7: Navigating with the Help of the Southern Cross Constellation
Step 1. Identify the constellation Southern Cross
In the Southern Hemisphere, the constellation Southern Cross (or Crux -Latin for cross) can be used to guide you from/to the south. There are five stars forming this constellation, and the four brightest stars form an angular cross. In Indonesia, the constellation of Southern Cross is also known as Gubuk Penceng.
Step 2. Use the constellation Southern Cross to find the direction south
Find the two stars that make up the long section of the cross and imagine an extension line that is five times longer than the length of the cross.
When you reach the end of the imaginary line, draw another imaginary line from that point extending to the ground. In general, the position is agreed to be south
Step 3. Choose a pointing object to guide
Immediately after determining your south position, it is helpful to look for a pointing object (something that is easy to see/recognize, such as a tree, pole, etc.)
Method 6 of 7: Making Your Own Compass
Step 1. Gather tools and other supplies
A compass is an instrument with a needle that rotates in all the printed cardinal directions. The rotating needle uses the Earth's magnetic field to determine the direction the compass is facing. You can make your own elementary (temporary) compass if you have the following equipment:
- Metal and magnetic sewing needle
- Bowl or cup filled with water
- Pliers/pliers and scissors
- Cork a bottle stopper (or a leaf).
Step 2. Rub the metal needle onto the magnetic surface
Scrub at least 12 times if you're using a weak magnet like a fridge magnet, or about five times if you're using a stronger magnet. This step will make the needle magnetically charged.
Step 3. Cut a quarter of the cork of the bottle stopper
Next, use pincers/pliers to stick the needle through the cork. (If you don't have a cork, you can put a needle on a leaf.)
Step 4. Place the piece of cork in the center of the bowl filled with water
The needle will be free to rotate like a compass needle, and will eventually align itself with the earth's poles.
Step 5. Wait for the needle to stop spinning
If properly magnetized, the needle will point to the north-south line. Know that unless you have a compass or other reference, you can never tell if the needle is pointing north or south, it's just pointing in one direction or the other.
Many websites and books say that you can turn a metal needle into a magnet by rubbing it with wool or silk, but this will only create static electricity, not magnetism
Method 7 of 7: Determining Directions with Magnetic or Electronic Equipment
Step 1. Determine the direction with a compass
Day or night, using a compass, GPS, or a cell phone equipped with one of the two, is the best and easiest way to find directions. Both devices are also very accurate, making them the most reliable way. However, know that the direction shown by the compass needle is the direction according to the earth's magnetic poles-due to the earth's magnetic attraction at the North Pole and South Pole. The direction of the north and south of the earth's magnet is slightly different from the true north and south (the direction according to the earth's axis).
- If you turn in a different direction, the compass needle will also rotate, indicating which way you are facing.
- A compass needle will point the wrong way if it is around metal objects, such as keys, clocks, and belt buckles. The same is true if you are around objects that contain magnets, such as certain types of rock or power lines.
Step 2. Use the global positioning system (GPS)
GPS is the undeniably easiest way to determine your direction or find your way, because this electronic device uses satellites to determine your position. GPS can be used to pinpoint your position, show you directions to a specific location, and guide your movement. In order to function, the GPS device must be charged and equipped with a battery in good condition. Prior to use, GPS must also be set, so the device can orient itself (know its position) and download the most up-to-date and accurate maps.
- Turn on your GPS, and let the app load and get a signal.
- The GPS not only has a compass that you can use to determine the direction of east, west, north, or south, but the map also has arrows pointing the direction in front of you.
- Your coordinates will appear at the top of the screen, which also shows where you are with respect to latitude and longitude.
- Because GPS navigation uses satellites, tall buildings, large trees, and regional structures (the shape of the earth's surface) can interfere with the signal.
Step 3. Activate the navigation device on your mobile phone
Most smartphones are equipped with a compass, GPS, or both. You can also download various applications or software that can be installed to equip your phone with the compass/GPS feature. To be able to use the GPS function, your phone must be connected to a Wi-Fi or internet network, and the GPS or other locating service must be active.
