Which direction is North? Whether you're lost in the woods or trying to set a sundial in your yard, you sometimes need to find true North, and it's likely that when you're in a situation like this, no compass is available. More importantly, when you have a compass, it points to the North Pole, and keeps changing based on your location in the world.
Step
Method 1 of 8: Shadow Edge Method
Step 1. Place the stick perpendicular to the ground so you can see the shadow
As an alternative, you can use the shadow of an object that is in the right position. You can use anything, but the higher up the object is, the easier it will be to see the movement of the shadow. The narrower the end of the object, the more accurate your reading will be. Make sure the shadow is refracted at a point that is free of distractions and is even.
Step 2. Mark the tip of the shadow with a small object, such as a marble, or a clear scratch on the floor
Try to make as few marks as possible for the ends, but make sure you can still recognize the marks later.
Step 3. Wait 10-15 minutes
The tip of the shadow will usually move from west to east in a curved line.
Step 4. Mark the new position of the shadow tip with an object or other small stroke
The difference may be only slightly from the first sign.
Step 5. Draw a straight line on the ground between the two marks
This line is an approximate east-west trajectory.
Step 6. Stand with the first mark (west direction) on the left of the body, and the other mark (east) on the right
Most of your body will now face true north, regardless of where you are in the world. This illustration shows that the sun and the marker at point 1 is what happened in step 2. At point 2, what is shown is what happened in step 4. This method is based on the fact that the sun moves in the sky from east to west.
Method 2 of 8: Using the Northern Hemisphere
Step 1. Determine the location of the North Star (Polaris) in the night sky
The North Star is the last star in the handle of the Little Bear constellation. If you're having trouble finding it, look for the Big Bear constellation. The two lowest stars in this constellation (that is, the outermost on the cup) form a straight line that "points" to the North Star. You can also find the constellation Cassiopeia, which is always opposite to the position of the Big Bear constellation. The North Star is located approximately halfway between the mid-star Cassiopeia and the Great Bear (see figure).
Step 2. Draw a shadow line straight down from the North Star to the ground
This direction is true North, and if you can find a reference at some distance in this direction, use it to guide yourself.
Method 3 of 8: Using the Stars: Southern Hemisphere
Step 1. Find the constellation Southern Cross
In the Southern Hemisphere, the North Star will not be visible, and there is no other star that always points south or north, but you can use this constellation and other stars as a guide. The Southern Cross constellation is formed by five stars, and the four brightest ones resemble a cross slightly angled to one side.
Step 2. Identify the two stars that make up the long axis of the cross
These stars form a line that "points" to a shadow point in the sky, which is above the South Pole. Follow this line down from the two stars, five times the distance between them.
Step 3. Draw a shadow line from this point to the ground, and try to identify a corresponding reference to help
Since this is true south, true north will be right at the other end (behind you when you see south).
Method 4 of 8: Using the Stars: Equator
Step 1. The constellation Orion is visible from both hemispheres, depending on the time of day
This constellation is a permanent feature on the equator.
Step 2. Locate the Orion belt
Orion has several clear stars. The 'belt' section (3 stars in a row) is located from East to West. Look for this belt, which has a 'sword' section.
Step 3. Project the line from the sword through the star in the center of the belt
This is the general North direction.
Step 4. Orion is on the equator:
the belt goes up and ends in East and West.
Method 5 of 8: Shadow Edge Alternative Method for Better Accuracy
Step 1. Set the stick as perpendicular to the ground as possible and mark the first end of the shadow according to the previous instructions
For this method, mark the first reading in the morning, at least about an hour before noon.
Step 2. Find objects or long threads, etc
corresponding to the length of the shadow.
Step 3. Continue measuring the length of the shadow every 10-20 minutes
The shadow will shrink before noon and grow after.
Step 4. Measure the length of the shadow as it grows
Use the string or object you used to measure the length of the initial shadow. When the shadow grows to exactly the same length as the thread (so the length corresponds to the first measurement), mark the point where it meets.
Step 5. Draw a line connecting the first and second dots above
Again, this line is an East-West line. If you stand with the first sign to the left of the body and the second to the right, you will be facing true North.
Method 6 of 8: Clock Method: Northern Hemisphere
Step 1. Look for an analog clock (which has both long and short hands) that has been set up accurately
Place it on a flat surface, or hold it horizontally in your hand.
Step 2. Point the short needle at the sun
Step 3. Find the midpoint of the corner between the short hand and the number 12
This section is the South-North line marking. If you don't know the direction of North and South, remember, wherever you are, the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. If the clock is set to daylight saving time mode, find the midpoint of the angle between the short hand and the number 1.
Method 7 of 8: Clock Method: Southern Hemisphere
Step 1. Use the analog clock according to the instructions above, and point the 12 o'clock sign at the sun
If the clock is set to daylight saving time mode, point 1 o'clock to the sun.
Step 2. Find the midpoint of the angle between twelve o'clock (or one o'clock in daylight saving time mode) and the short hand to find the North-South line
If you're not sure which direction is North, remember that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, no matter where you are. However, in the Southern Hemisphere, the sun will be at the North point at midday.
Method 8 of 8: Estimating the Path of the Sun
Step 1. Understand the path the sun travels
Remember that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West. In between, the sun will form an arc towards the South in the Northern Hemisphere, and vice versa (always pointing towards the equator). This means that in the early morning (just after sunrise), he will be in the East, while in the late afternoon (just before sunset), he will be in the West.
- The path of the sun can vary slightly depending on the season, especially if it is far from the equator. For example, in summer, sunrises and sunsets tend to move away from the equator (more North in the Northern Hemisphere, and more South in the Southern Hemisphere). Meanwhile, in winter, the sun tends to approach the equator.
- As a precaution, study the path of the sun in the area where you live or will be visiting before you are in a situation where you need to know. There is a useful and free website tool available at https://www.sunearthtools.com/dp/tools/pos_sun.php. Specifically, you should try to study the shape of the trail at its two endpoints, as well as the approximate sunrise and sunset times on these two trails. Knowing this information early can help predict the sun's path on a given day.
Step 2. Find North based on the direction of the sun
If you determine that the sun is in the East (in the early morning hours), the North direction is about a quarter turn counterclockwise (for example, if you are facing the sun, turn left). When the sun is in the West, North is about a quarter turn clockwise. If the sun is in the south, the north is in the exact opposite direction.
At around 12 noon (depending on daylight saving time and your position in the time zone), the sun will point south in the Northern Hemisphere, and vice versa
Tips
- When trying to locate the North Star, keep in mind that, despite popular belief, the North Star is not the brightest star in the sky. The only great thing about this star is that it never moves.
- These methods may take practice until you can master them perfectly. Try it a few times when possible. That way, you can lean on everything in a survival situation.
- The halfway point between 12 (or 1 if you are in Daylight Savings Time mode) and the hour hand is the North-South line. At midday, in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun will be in the South, and vice versa.
- If you use the shadow method, the longer you wait, the more the shadow will move and the more accurate your reading will be.
- In snowy mountainous areas, you can also get a hint of the approximate West/North direction by looking at the sides of the mountain with heavier snow. These sides usually face North or West.
Warning
- The North Star will be higher in the sky the further you point north. This star will also be useless at a latitude of 70 degrees North.
- The clock method is not recommended at lower latitudes, especially below 20 degrees; in both hemispheres.
- The tip shadow method is not recommended in the polar regions (where the latitude is more than 60 degrees), in both hemispheres.
