How to correctly determine the cardinal directions using a compass

How does a compass work?

The compass is an ancient invention and its structure is quite simple.

The main part of the compass is the magnetized needle . It always strives to position itself along the magnetic meridian in the north-south direction. It also reacts to large accumulations of metal, live wires, deposits of magnetic ores in the ground and can deviate very strongly from the original value.

Around the needle on the compass is a moving scale with divisions, called a dial . It divides the circle into 360 degrees. Scale divisions most often correspond to 2⁰. The first division, also known as 360⁰, is designated by the letter “ N ”, that is, Nord – north.

South is indicated by the letter " S " - Suid (south)

West on the left – “ W ” ​​– West (west)

East on the right – “ E ” – East (ost)

Different compasses have additional aids for aiming and determining azimuths.

Qibla: the importance of determining it

Namaz must be performed every day, five times. And during prayer, a Muslim’s face must certainly be directed towards Mecca. The construction of all Islamic temples and other religious buildings in any country in the world is also based on this postulate: they all “look” at Mecca. This fact should always be taken into account. Therefore, while staying in the mosque, it is important to stand in the directions indicated. Many Muslim temples have corresponding markings: they can be seen on the floor or walls. It is believed that Allah will hear a person only if the prayer is performed in the right direction.

How to navigate with a compass

Place the compass horizontally. Make sure that there are no metal objects, electrical appliances, magnets, power lines or anything else nearby that could deflect the arrow to the side. It is better to carry out orientation in several places slightly apart from each other in order to exclude the influence of extraneous factors.

When the arrow calms down, it will show the north-south direction. Accordingly, east will be to the right of the arrow, and west will be to the left.

It is necessary to clarify that with the help of a compass alone you can only get your bearings very approximately. In addition to it, you definitely need a map.

How to use a compass

Using maps from Google Maps has become a common everyday activity for many of us; the service offers many useful functions. But many users did not know that it had a compass:

1. Open a browser on your computer;
2. In the address bar write https://www.google.ru/maps;

   

3. Enter your address in the "Search on Google Maps" field and press the Enter key (in the lower right corner, there is a plus and minus button with which you can zoom in or out)

   
   North on the map is always at the top and South at the bottom;

4. Looking from above, it is difficult to see which side the windows of your house face. In order to see them you need to turn on panorama mode. Drag the yellow man to the location you want to view.

   

5. After loading the panorama, you will be able to view your object in 360 degrees. Look at the red arrow on the compass in the lower right corner, it points north.

   

How to orient a map using a compass

It is better if the card is in your hands in paper form. But if your last name is Bond and you have excellent visual memory, then the map may be in your head.

Orientation using a map with a compass is used when clear landmarks indicated on the map are not visible or the standing point (the place where you are) is unknown to you.

On modern maps, north always corresponds to the top edge of the map. Accordingly: south is the bottom edge, east is the right edge, and west is the left edge of the map.

Place the card exactly horizontally in relation to the ground, as if it were lying on a table. Place the compass on the map so that the north or the letter “N” coincides with the north on the map, that is, it points to the top edge of the map. Then turn the map together with the compass around the axis until the compass needle coincides with o, that is, it points to the north. Now your map is oriented to the cardinal points.

If you don’t see any obvious landmarks, then a compass-oriented map will only help you understand the relative direction of movement.

Let's say you left a populated area and first moved northeast and then entered the forest. Your goal is the river behind the forest. Therefore, at this moment you need to go further to the northeast on the map to get to the river. And the return direction to the house will be accordingly, to the southwest.

How to navigate the terrain without a compass

Before the compass was created, people learned to navigate the terrain using signs - clues given by nature itself. And like everything that is created by nature, they are unique, inimitable and unmistakable.

Once in the forest, you can easily determine the location of north and south by moss, tree branches, stumps, flowers, and anthills. Here's what you need to know to determine the cardinal directions without a compass in the forest:

• find moss on the tree, it always grows on the north side;
• look at the flowers, they always look more to the south, on the tree there are also more branches and flowers looking to the south;
• look at pine and birch, their bark on the north side is darker and harder;
• Resin often forms on conifers on the south side;
• the anthill is turned to the south, and on the north side it usually has a tree, hill, stone or other protection, the south side of the anthill is always flatter...

• on the south side, grass always grows better and faster, berries and fruits also ripen faster;
• from the northern part the snow remains longer.

Here are other ways to determine the cardinal directions without a compass:

• Let's look at the sky and find the brightest star there, which is called the polar star. By turning to face it, you can consider that you have turned to the north;
• determined by the sun. It rises in the East and sets in the West. If you stand and spread your arms to the east and west, then you will have north in front and south behind you;

Watch together an educational video on how to navigate the area:

How to find a standing point

1. According to two or three landmarks

To determine your standing point (the place where you are now), you need visible landmarks.

Let's say you see a TV tower to your right, and on the other side you can see a water tower.

Find both of these objects on the map.

Determine the azimuths to these objects.

Orient the map as written above.

From the landmarks on the map, draw lines corresponding to the azimuths to these objects.

At the intersection of these lines there will be a standing point (your location).

2. One landmark at a time

If you know the height of a visible landmark, you can determine the distance to it using a ruler (article on how to determine the distance).

Then determine the azimuth for this landmark.

Mark an azimuth line from this landmark on the oriented map and on this line, using the map scale, mark the distance to the landmark. This way you find a standing point.

3. Along a line and one landmark

If you are on the road and there is one landmark, to determine the standing point, determine the azimuth to the visible landmark.

Find a landmark on the map.

Draw a line from the landmark along its azimuth until it intersects with the road. Where the line crossed the road will be your standing point.

Elements and stones in Feng Shui

According to the teachings of Feng Shui, natural stones are able to control energy flows, activating various spheres of life. Knowing where and what stones to place, you can attract success and wealth, improve relationships, protect yourself from failures, and enhance your creative and mental abilities.

You can use a ready-made set of Feng Shui stones for your home. But, in general, it does not matter whether it is a raw crystal or a stone product - beads, boxes, pyramids. The main thing is that the stone is natural.

In Feng Shui there are five primary elements. These are the elements of Earth, Wood, Fire, Water and Metal. The correct balance of these elements gives the desired harmony in life. With the help of stones, you can control energy flows, strengthening or weakening each of the elements if necessary. The stones are placed in the cardinal directions.

The table shows where and what stones should be located to weaken or strengthen the desired element.

There is no need to place a lot of stones - they will interfere with each other.
When choosing one of the proposed stones, be guided by personal sympathy! It is the stone you like that will most generously share its energy. Date: Wednesday, August 22, 2020

How to determine the direction of movement

Let's imagine a situation where you know your standing point and know the landmark to which you need to go. But soon you will enter a forest where there will be no visible landmarks. In this case, you can move in azimuth to the final (or intermediate) point.

Now, in order to understand which direction you should move, you need to find on the map the point where you are standing and the point to which you are going. Let it be a small pond.

We find the azimuth on the map to this pond.

Now you need to follow this azimuth, trying to deviate from it as little as possible. To return back, you will need to calculate the reverse azimuth, that is, the opposite direction.

Let's say the azimuth was 40. The opposite direction differs by 180 degrees. Accordingly, to find the return azimuth, you need to add 180 to 40 degrees. The return azimuth will be 220 degrees.

If the azimuth was initially greater than 180 degrees, then to determine the reverse azimuth you will need to subtract 180 from it. For example, the azimuth was 245. Accordingly, 245-180 = 65 degrees.

Very important addition!!!

True azimuth is the angle between the geographic meridian and the direction to the object.

Magnetic azimuth is the angle between the magnetic meridian (along which the compass needle is oriented) and the direction to the object.

A compass points towards the magnetic north pole, which is not the true geographic pole that all maps are oriented towards. And depending on the terrain, when calculating azimuths you need to make corrections for magnetic declination. If this value is less than 3°, then in most cases the correction can be ignored.

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How to determine the cardinal directions in an apartment

It happens when a person needs to determine the location of a house or apartment relative to the cardinal direction. This is in order to correctly position the bed or furniture according to Feng Shui. To find out:

1. Run a compass on your phone or take a mechanical one;
2. Stand in the center of the room and place it in a horizontal position;
3. Change the position of the red arrow so that its end points towards S - north or N - south, resulting in north.