If you try to orient yourself in nature and you don't have a compass, don't worry! There are ways to find out which direction is true north during the day and night. Using the sun, shadows and stars as reference points, you will have no problem finding north and heading on the right path.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Use the Day Shadow and Stick Method
Step 1. Look for a straight stick that is at least 60 cm long
If you are in the middle of nature, you will probably have many branches available. A straight stick at least 60 cm long will cast a sharp and visible shadow, which will allow you to find the right direction. In general, the longer the wood, the longer the shadow will be, which will help make it more visible.
The thickness of the wood can vary, but a stick of about 1 cm in diameter will work in most situations. If the sky is overcast, with a thicker stick you will get a more visible shadow
Note:
this method requires a straight stick. If you use a curved or crooked one, you will not find the right direction because the shadow will not be straight.
Step 2. Slip the stick in a flat, clear of the ground
Insert it so that it is perfectly straight. If the surface is hard, dig a hole with a knife or other tool you have at your disposal. Note the shade of the wood, which you will use to orient yourself.
- Use rocks or dirt to keep the stick straight.
- It is important that the shadow is cast on a flat surface, free of grass and other vegetation. If the ground is uneven or grassy, the shadow will be distorted. If necessary, clear an area of the ground.
Step 3. Place a stone at the end of the shadow
This rock marks the original position of the shadow. You'll need it when the sun moves across the sky, because the shadow will do the same.
As the sun moves across the sky from east to west, the shadow is cast in the opposite direction. This means that the original position of the shadow is the westernmost reference point
Step 4. Wait 20 minutes
In this way, the sun will have moved across the sky. If the shadow still hasn't visibly moved after 20 minutes, wait another 10.
If you have no way of calculating the time, just keep an eye on the shadow. When you notice that it has moved, mark the new location and continue
Step 5. Mark the new position of the shadow
As the sun moves, the shadow will move east. Place a rock or stick at the end of the shadow in the new location to mark it.
Remember: use something that is not blown away by the wind. If you lose the references of both positions of the shadow, you will have to start over
Step 6. Draw a straight line between the stones
As the sun moves west in the sky, the shadow's new position will be further east. By connecting the two stones you create a line in an east-west direction, the first step in finding north.
To connect the two stones, you can draw a straight line in the earth or place a straight stick between the two
Step 7. Mark an "O" in the starting position and "E" in the new one
In this way, you will create a compass and you will not forget the cardinal points.
Remember that the compass directions are north, east, south and west, clockwise. If you happen to forget them, memorize the phrase "Nobody Is Always Oriented", a mnemonic tool that will help you remember the cardinal points
Step 8. Put your left foot on the "O" and your right foot on the "E" to find north
Once you have assumed this position, you will have the north straight in front of you and the south behind you. In this way, you have completed the compass. The north you are looking at is the true north, because you used the sun instead of the Earth's magnetic field.
- If you want to have reference points for these directions, mark an "N" in front of you and an "S" behind you.
- This method works in the northern and southern hemisphere in the same way. The only difference is that in the northern hemisphere the sun will be behind you, while in the southern hemisphere you will see it in front.
Method 2 of 4: Using an Analog Watch and the Sun
Step 1. Take off your watch and hold it in front of you
Take a good look at the dial and where the hour and minute hands point.
For this method, you must use an analog clock, that is, it must have an hour hand and a minute hand; a digital one will not work
Step 2. Point the hours towards the sun if you are in the Northern Hemisphere
In this hemisphere, the sun points south. To begin finding the north-south line, align the hour hand of the watch towards the sun.
Step 3. Find the midpoint between the hour hand and 12 o'clock
In the northern hemisphere, this point marks the north-south line. True north is the side opposite the sun.
- Some analog watches have an adjustable crown for finding direction. If your model has this feature, you can turn the crown to bring an arrow to this midpoint.
- Note that this method is not perfect, because the time zones of the world are not always constant. You may not be able to find the precise point of true north, but you will know its general direction.
Step 4. Point the 12 o'clock symbol towards the sun if you are in the southern hemisphere
After that, find the midpoint between the hour hand and 12 o'clock to locate the north-south line.
In the southern hemisphere, true north is on the side of the sun
Step 5. Use 1 instead of 12 as a reference if daylight saving time is in effect
Depending on the time of year and the country you are in, daylight saving time may be in effect. The method works the same way, but since there is a difference of one hour, you will need to use 1 instead of 12.
Remember that daylight saving time runs from March to November in the countries that adopt it
Method 3 of 4: Find the North Star in the Northern Hemisphere
Step 1. Find the constellation of the Big Dipper
Also known as Ursa Major, this constellation is key to finding the North Star, which shows the direction of true north in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a very large constellation, easy to spot on clear nights.
- The Big Dipper resembles a large chariot and is made up of some of the brightest stars in the sky. Look for the star group that looks like this.
- Contrary to popular belief, the North Star is not the brightest in the sky. Use these constellations to locate it.
Step 2. Find the outer edge of the Big Dipper
The final part of the constellation, which resembles the back of a chariot, is made up of two stars known as "Pointers" because they literally point towards the North Star.
Step 3. Draw an imaginary line outwards, starting from the stars indicated above
This line should extend from the tip of the wagon. The North Star is at the end of this line.
The North Star forms the end of the linear part of the Little Dipper and is the brightest star in the constellation. When you think you've spotted the star you're looking for, look around and see if it belongs to a small chariot-shaped constellation. In that case, you found it
Step 4. Look directly at the North Star
When you are facing this star, you are looking towards true north. You can use this information to find the other cardinal points.
Remember that if you are facing north, the other directions from right to left are east, south and west
Step 5. Estimate the distance if the sky is overcast
In some cases, the weather does not allow you to use this method. In a similar situation, you can still find the Big Dipper and estimate the distance to the North Star.
The North Star is roughly six times the distance between the two pointer stars. Look at the space that divides them, then multiply it by six. In this way, you will know the approximate position of the North Star
Method 4 of 4: Orientation with the Stars in the Southern Hemisphere
Step 1. Find the Southern Cross constellation
If you are in the southern hemisphere, the North Star will not help you orient yourself. On the contrary, you have to search for the true south using the Southern Cross which is always visible in the southern hemisphere.
This constellation is made up of 4 bright stars that form a kite
Step 2. Find the reference stars
Outside the Southern Cross there are two other extremely bright stars that you can use as a guide: they are almost parallel to the two closest stars in the constellation.
The reference stars are some of the brightest in the southern hemisphere. If you can't find the Southern Cross, you can start with those stars
Step 3. Draw an imaginary line down from the longest axis of the Southern Cross
Two of the stars in the constellation, Gacrux and Acrux, are the most distant from each other. Starting from the top, imagine a line extending between these two stars and continuing downwards with the same inclination.
- Hold a stick straight in front of you to more easily visualize a straight line.
- Depending on the time of year, this line can reach the ground, because the constellations rotate together with the Earth.
Step 4. Draw an imaginary line from the midpoint between the reference stars
Just as you have identified a line starting from the Southern Cross, now imagine a line from the midpoint between the two reference stars outwards. This line should intersect the one you spotted earlier. The point of intersection is the true south.
Use an easy-to-recognize natural element as a reference point. For example, a large tree away from you may be at the 2 lines, indicating where true south is
Step 5. Turn 180 degrees, bringing your back south to find true north
Once you have found true south, just look in the opposite direction to find true north. Make sure you rotate exactly 180 degrees, otherwise you won't be looking towards true north.
