Features of using a compass to determine the cardinal directions on the ground, on a map, in an apartment. Instructions for installing and working correctly with the compass on Android and IPhone.
Our attention is attracted by the devices and benefits of civilization. And just 2-3 centuries ago, people knew more about nature and knew how to navigate the area, relying on observations and signs.
Nowadays it is difficult to imagine a traveler or geologist without a compass in his hands. This device helps where satellite signals are not received and there is no Internet.
However, you must handle the compass correctly and also be able to interpret its measurements.
Let's talk in more detail about how to do this.
Indication of cardinal directions in English on a compass with translation
the traveler holds a compass in his hand to determine the direction of his movement.
Since there are different types of compasses, their scales have a different number of cardinal directions indicated.
However, the required set is 4 main ones:
- N (North) - north
- S (South) - south
- E (East) - east
- W (West) - west
Or the scale displays the cardinal directions in letters of the Russian alphabet, namely the first of the words.
North, south, west, east: location on the compass
Determining the cardinal directions using a compass is a simple task, provided that this device is used correctly. First you need to remember what symbols mark the cardinal directions. North is denoted by the English letter N, i.e. “north”, south – S (“south”), west – W (“west”), and east – E (“east”). To determine north, you need to turn the arrow with the main side (usually it is painted blue or simply marked as the main side) towards the N designation.
To correctly determine the cardinal directions with a compass, you need to follow the rules:
- The device must be held strictly horizontally so as not to cause errors in determining the cardinal directions.
- The compass must be turned carefully until the arrow with the marked end stops at the N mark. The arrow line will thus point to the north and south directions.
- Some compass models are equipped with a special arrow that is fixed in the direction of a given route. Just twist it and follow the direction.
- The built-in compass will help calculate azimuths.
In order not to deviate from the route, you need to choose a large building as a landmark and follow it. Having reached the object, check the compass direction again and move on.
Where do the red and blue compass needles point?
the red compass arrow points to the north.
We are accustomed to the fact that on the globe the North Pole is located at the top, which the blue compass arrow points to, and the South Pole is located at the bottom. And the red one strives for him.
However, based on the laws of physics, the opposite is true. In reality, the blue arrow indicates the location of the South Pole, and the red arrow indicates the location of the North Pole. Because bodies with the same charges repel, not attract.
Keep in mind also that the familiar North Pole drifts and changes its location not symmetrically to the South Pole. Therefore, the red compass needle actually slightly distorts the direction of this part of the world.
Cardinal directions on plans, maps and globe
In the old days, sailors and travelers were guided by maps on which north could be at the bottom and south at the top. Knowledge about was imperfect, many geographers made mistakes when plotting objects on plans and maps. There were so-called “white spots” - unexplored areas. As a rule, on modern geographical plans and maps, north is at the top, south is at the bottom, west is on the left, and east is on the right.
The same principle was used to create the globe. Its upper half is the Northern Hemisphere, the lower half is the Southern Hemisphere. To the left of the prime meridian is the Western Hemisphere, to the right is the Eastern Hemisphere. The place where the ball is attached to the stand is the South Pole, the opposite point is the North Pole. It is easy to find any geographical object if its coordinates are known. North, south, west, east are the main directions, as well as on the globe. Continents, oceans, plains, mountains, seas, cities and other geographical objects that are located above the equator have a northern latitude, and below the 0° parallel have a southern latitude. Objects to the left of the prime meridian have western longitude, while those to the right have eastern longitude.
What is azimuth on a compass and how to determine it?
the compass is adjusted before determining the azimuth
The angle formed between the north direction and the object is called azimuth.
The angle is counted clockwise.
There are 2 ways to determine azimuth:
- approximate, or by eye
- precise - using a protractor
In the second case, the arrow pointing north is o on the protractor.
How to use a compass correctly in the forest or on the ground?
The compass lies on the grass before determining the cardinal directions and orientation on the terrain.
First, check the serviceability of the compass:
- place it on a flat horizontal surface and wait until the arrow stops
- fix its position
- bring any metal object and release the latch
- the arrow should react with oscillations
- remove the item abruptly
- if the arrow returned to its original value before removing the lock, the compass is working
Before entering the forest, determine your direction of movement. Consider its opposite meaning when turning in the opposite direction.
- Get attached to a large object in the area. For example, a river, power lines, wide clearings, roads and paths. Remember that any magnetic sources must be located outside the compass operation, otherwise its readings will be incorrect.
- Determine the azimuth of this object.
- Take it into account when moving in the direction you need.
- It's ideal if you have a notepad on hand. Keep a record of the number of steps after each turn.
Directions on the ground (north, south, west, east)
You can determine your location by celestial bodies, natural phenomena and signs of nearby objects. At noon, when the Sun is in the south, shadows from vertically located objects are directed with their apex to the north. At night you need to try to find the North Star. The two extreme bright points of the Big Dipper, forming the wall of the Big Dipper, are called the Pointers. A straight line drawn through them rests directly on the North Star. It is located in the northern half of the sky and belongs to the constellation Ursa Minor.
A good helper for those who get lost is a wristwatch. To find out the direction, turn the arrow towards the Sun. An angle is formed between the line leading to the number 1 (13.00 hours), which is divided in half and a bisector is obtained (it points to the south). Orientation by local signs:
- on the northern side of the trees there is a thicker layer of lichens and mosses;
- drier soil under rocks facing south;
- In winter, on the north side the snow remains loose longer;
- anthills are more often located to the south of hills, trees, stones;
- the clearings that divide the forest into quarters are oriented from east to west and from north to south (their serial numbers are marked on pillars, starting from north-west and south-east).
Each method has an error, which must be taken into account on the ground. It is better to use several methods, then the result will be more accurate.
Since ancient times, people have been looking for ways to navigate the terrain in order to correctly find the road and follow the intended path. Both then and now, this is very important for workers in various professions and for ordinary people.
There were and are many ways. For example, during the day with the help of the sun, and at night with the help of the stars. There is a well-known and working method: north is on the side from which moss grows on the trees. You can also find out the cardinal directions by the wind, knowing its direction (trade winds always blow in the same direction, and monsoons - seasonally). But the most famous and popular method is a compass.
How to use a compass correctly in an apartment?
one of the compass models is for distributing the space of a house/apartment.
Follow the steps:
- study your compass, the features of its operation, check it for serviceability
- select a reference point, for example, a door or window
- determine its location from the middle of the room
- keep the compass strictly horizontal, for example, on a book
- lean it against the wall so that a right angle is formed between them
- The height of the compass in this case is at the level of your waist
- triple check your measurements and take the average
- Please note that household appliances, furniture, metal objects in the apartment create a background for the correct operation of the compass
- permissible deviations for verification measurements are 10-15%
Sometimes, in order to reduce the influence of power transmission and home appliances, compass measurements are taken of the cardinal points at a distance from the house/apartment.
How to determine your location using a compass and map?
There is a compass and a pencil on the map
- If both of these items are in your hands, then first open the card and look at it carefully.
- Find the objects marked on it in the area around you.
- Expand the map so that they coincide in location relative to you.
There are several ways to determine your location on the map:
- for nearby objects
- distant
- direction of movement along the road, path, clearing
When you have completed this step, place the card on the ground.
- Place a compass on top.
- Remove it from the clamp.
- Turn your face to the north, the blue arrow of the device will point towards it.
- Next, check the map and the point that you chose as a landmark or your current location.
- Record the direction of your movement.
Compass without a map
There are simpler ways to navigate the terrain with a compass without calculations and a map. For example, if a mushroom picker or someone simply walking in the forest knows how to use a compass, he can climb into any thicket without fear of getting lost, knowing for sure that the compass will definitely lead him home.
At the beginning of the journey, you need to mark some significant landmark, for example, railway tracks, a highway, a river, a field.
Standing facing the selected object so that your route is behind you, use the compass to mark the direction - say, north-west. This is the direction of the return journey. Therefore, you need to move forward to the southeast.
If, while picking mushrooms, you don’t even check your compass very often to move southeast, then the path to the marked landmark is northwest.
How to download and properly use a compass on iPhone?
The iPhone lies on the railing with the compass program open next to the regular compass.
Often the compass is already installed on the iPhone among special applications. If it is not there, look at the AppStore and write “compass” in the search bar.
Select the application that you like from the list that appears. Or focus on the number of downloads, that is, the level of popularity of the utility.
After installing the compass application on your iPhone, to check its operation, proceed as follows:
- calibrate it. Launch the app and spin in the air with one hand as if you were drawing an infinity sign. This feature is available for iOS7. In other cases, the setting is done differently.
- A compass scale and an arrow pointing to the magnetic north pole will appear on the screen.
- If information about the geographic pole is important to you, go to Settings - Compass and check the box Apply true north .
- The white arrow outside the compass dial shows you the direction of your view at the current moment in time. Adjust your position so that both arrows point north.
- Tap the screen once.
- Now when you move you will see a red moving zone. It shows your deviation from the fixed route. To remove it, touch the screen again.
- Combine compass data with maps. Launch them. In the compass app, you will find numbers with the coordinates of your current location at the bottom of the screen. Double-tap them to get extended help about your location.
Types of compasses
- The most popular is magnetic. It is named so because the main principle of its operation is the relationship of the magnetic field of the compass needle with the magnetic field of the Earth, which makes the needle always point north. But such a compass has disadvantages. Although it is easy to use, it will not function correctly near power lines and other objects that have a strong magnetic field. Adrianov's compass is precisely a magnetic compass.
- A gyrocompass is a compass similar to a magnetic one, but with one significant difference. The arrow in it will point to the geographic north of the Earth, and not to the magnetic one.
- An electronic compass is a compass that works only based on satellite readings. That is, it receives signals from earth satellites and uses them to determine the direction and its own location. Many phones use an electronic compass.
How to download and properly use a compass on Android?
several Android smartphones with an installed and working compass.
To download the compass application, go to the Play Market.
- In the search bar, enter “compass” and select the application you are looking to install. Or any one that has a higher percentage of popularity and downloads.
- After downloading the application, open it and calibrate the compass. You will see a hint on your phone on how to do this.
- Next, explore the menu and capabilities of the application and use it as needed. Take into account all the nuances discussed in the previous sections.
So, we looked at the features of correct operation of the compass, both as a separate device and as an application for a smartphone. We learned to navigate the terrain and determine the cardinal directions in the forest or apartment.
Although our age of technology makes it possible to use GPS navigators almost everywhere, Internet coverage has a limited range of action.
How to determine cardinal directions
The compass mechanism is simple and ingenious - a magnetized needle, placed in a case under transparent glass in the center of the dial (dial), when released from the stopper, will show the north pole with its north tail, and the south pole, respectively, with its south tail. The limb is marked with the cardinal directions using letters. If the device is domestic, then the letters will be taken from the Russian alphabet, but if the device was not made in our country, then in accordance with international designations, Latin.
The dial has a circular scale of 360 degrees, which is divided into 4 identical sectors, increasing clockwise. The size of the scale step for an individual device may be different, however, in any case, any of the directions of light is delineated by certain degrees:
- north is marked 0 degrees,
- south - 180 degrees,
- east - 90 degrees,
- west - 270 degrees.
Determining the cardinal directions using the device is quite simple , but in order for the mechanism to indicate the correct direction, a number of simple rules must be followed.
The device must be given an exact horizontal position - for this it is either placed on a flat surface or held with an open palm slightly below chest level.
There should be no magnetic interference nearby, such as:
- accumulations of metal,
- railway track,
- power lines,
- as well as other similar interference.
If these requirements are not met, the arrow will show the wrong direction.
