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How to Read a North South East West Clock

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Being able to determine the cardinal directions using various methods can help you win orienteering challenges, help you find your way if yous're turned around, or could fifty-fifty relieve your neck if you're lost lonely somewhere. There are some easy means to figure out directions, only if you lot don't have a compass or cell phone handy, you can all the same determine north, south, east, and west.

  1. 1

    Collect your tools. Since the sun rises in the e and sets in the west, the shadows it casts volition always motility in the opposite direction, and you tin can discover their motions to determine directions. For this method, yous will need:[1]

    • A straight stick that's between 2 and five feet long
    • A straight stick that's about one human foot long
    • Two rocks, stones, or other objects (heavy plenty that wind won't accident them around).
  2. two

    Plant your stick upright in the ground. Place one of the rocks on the ground to marker the tip of the stick's shadow.

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  3. three

    Wait xv to xx minutes. The shadow will take moved. Have the second rock and marker the new location of the tip of the stick's shadow.

    • If y'all can look longer, do so, and place more than rocks to mark the changing shadow.
  4. 4

    Connect the dots. Either depict a direct line on the basis betwixt the two marks or employ the other stick to connect the dots and make a directly line. The shadow moves in the opposite management of the lord's day, and then this line denotes the east–west line: the outset dot represents w and the second dot represents east.

    • Note that this method is but approximate, and tin be off past 23 degrees or so at the equator on the first twenty-four hours of wintertime or summertime. The variance volition be more the farther you go from the equator. For instance, the sunday volition rise about 33 degrees north of east on the first day of summer at 42 degrees latitude in the northern hemisphere and 33 degrees south of due east on the showtime twenty-four hour period of winter. Information technology rises due east on the first mean solar day of spring and fall all over the world. [2]

    If you don't remember the society of directions, start with North and go clockwise, using this mnemonic:
    Never Due eastat Soggy Waffles.

    Alternatively, picture a clock with North at 12:00, East at 3:00, S at six:00, and Due west at 9:00.

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  1. 1

    Assemble your tools. This method is similar to the stick method, merely it'southward more reliable partly because information technology uses a longer ascertainment time, but mostly because it uses equal times earlier and subsequently local noon. Locate flat footing and collect your tools:

    • A stick or pole that'southward two to 5 feet long
    • One small sharp stick
    • Two small rocks
    • Something similar a long cord
  2. 2

    Put the long pole in the ground. This must be done earlier noon. Wherever the shadow of the pole ends, place a rock.

  3. 3

    Attach the cord to the stick and pole. Tie the sharp stick to ane end of the string, and the other end of the cord to the pole, making sure it's just long enough to accomplish the rock on the ground. With this method it is important that the peak of the stick, the function that casts the shadow, is straight over the function of the stick that is in the basis.

  4. 4

    Draw a circle effectually the pole. With the stone every bit your starting point, use the sharp stick that's attached to the pole to describe the circle in the ground around the pole.

  5. five

    Wait. When the shadow from the pole finally touches this circle again, mark the point where it connected with the other stone.

  6. 6

    Connect the dots. The straight line that connects the first stone with the second rock is the true due east–west line, where the offset rock represents due west and the 2nd rock represents east.[3]

    • To find north and south from this betoken, north will be ninety degrees clockwise from west, and south will be ninety degrees clockwise from east.

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  1. 1

    Look for the sun at apex. At noon, the sun can point you in the general direction of north and s, and consequently eastward and west, just it will not tell you north or due south. In the Northern Hemisphere, walking directly toward the lord's day at apex will lead you s, while walking directly abroad from the sun will lead you due north. In the Southern Hemisphere, the contrary is truthful: toward the sun will lead you north, and away from the sun will lead you south.

  2. 2

    Use sunrise and dusk for estimate directions. The dominicus rises in the general direction of eastward and sets in the general management of west every solar day, and so you lot can use the location of sunrise or dusk to become an estimate idea of direction. Face up the sunrise and you are facing east; northward volition be on your left and south will be on your correct. Face the sunset and you are facing west; north will be on your right and south will be on your left.

    • The location of sunrise and dusk only provide an guess idea of management 363 days of the year, because the sun rises due east and sets due westward simply on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes (the commencement 24-hour interval of leap and autumn).[4]
  3. 3

    Look at how vegetation is growing. While using vegetation to determine direction isn't an exact scientific discipline or a precise method, oftentimes it tin can give you a basic thought of which direction's which. Living north of the equator, the sun is usually in the southern part of the sky, and the contrary is true s of the equator. This means that leaves and leafage volition tend to be thicker and denser on the southern side of a tree or bush.[five] The opposite is true in the Southern Hemisphere, where vegetation will exist more than lush on the northern side.

    • Many guidebooks volition note that moss only grows on the north side of a tree in the Northern Hemisphere, merely this is not true. However, while moss can abound on all sides of a tree, it is true that information technology will frequently be denser on the side that is shadier (the north in the Northern Hemisphere and the south in the Southern Hemisphere).
  4. 4

    Summate management with an analogue watch and the sun. The sun tin be used in conjunction with a not-digital wristwatch to provide an approximate idea of the central directions if you find yourself lost in the wood but at least accept a wristwatch. In the Northern Hemisphere, indicate the hr hand on your watch at the sunday. South will be halfway between 12 o'clock and the hour hand.[6] In the Southern Hemisphere, marshal 12 o'clock on the picket with the lord's day, and the midway indicate between that and the hr hand will betoken northward.[7]

    • When you lot are facing north, e is on your right and w is on your left. When you are facing south, east is on your left and westward is on your correct.
    • During daylight saving fourth dimension, use 1 o'clock instead of 12 o'clock on the watch.[8]
    • For this method to work, your watch must exist set for the correct time. It can too take a margin of fault of near 35 degrees, so this method is just reliable for an estimate idea of direction.[9]

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  1. 1

    Recognize Polaris. Polaris, also called the N Star, tin be used in the Northern Hemisphere to aid you lot find n. This is i of the quickest means to determine your directions at night if you don't accept a compass or GPS.

    • Polaris, or the North Star, is not one of the brightest stars in the night sky (it clocks in at 48th brightest). Information technology is, however, the brightest star between the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia. Considering it'due south located in the heaven effectually the North Pole, it doesn't motion around much, meaning it's useful and accurate for navigating.
  2. 2

    Locate Polaris. Find the Big Dipper (too known as the Plough) and the Picayune Dipper (aka Ursa Small). Think of the Big Dipper like a ladle (hence the name), where the handle holds a cup, and the outer edge of the cup (the farthest from the handle) points out into the sky and toward Polaris. For confirmation, Polaris is the concluding star that makes upward the handle of the Niggling Dipper.[10]

  3. 3

    Describe an imaginary line from Polaris to the ground. This is approximately true north. When you face Polaris, you are facing due northward; backside you is due south, and w volition exist on your left, while due east will be on your right.[eleven]

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  1. ane

    Recognize the Southern Cantankerous. In the Southern Hemisphere, the constellation of the Southern Cantankerous (aka Crux) tin be used to guide you in a southerly direction. Five stars make this constellation, and its four brightest form an angled cross.

  2. 2

    Use the Southern Cross to find southward. Observe the two stars that make up the lengthwise portion of the cross and imagine a line that extends out iv and a one-half times greater than the full length of the cross.

    • When you reach the terminus of that imaginary line, draw another imaginary line that extends to the ground. This is, in general, the direction of south. When the cross is lying horizontal, the "iv and a half times" mark will be less than 1 degree from truthful south. When the cross is vertical or upside down, the mark will be about ii and a half degrees (about a thumb'due south width) from true south. [12]
  3. three

    Choose a guiding landmark. Once you've determined the full general direction in which south lies, it might be helpful to find a landmark at that location on the ground and so that you don't lose where south lies.

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  1. 1

    Get together your tools and equipment. A compass is a circular musical instrument with all the cardinal directions printed on it. A rotating needle uses the World's magnetic field to make up one's mind what management the compass is facing. You can make your own rudimentary compass if y'all take a few items bachelor. You will need:[thirteen]

    • A metal sewing needle and magnet
    • A bowl or cup filled with water
    • Pliers and scissors
    • A cork (or just a leafage).
  2. two

    Rub the needle confronting the magnet. Do this at least 12 times if you lot are using a weak magnet like a fridge magnet, or about five times if y'all have a stronger magnet. This will magnetize the needle.

  3. 3

    Cut a 1-quarter-inch disk of cork. And then, utilize the pliers to push the needle through the cork disk. (If you don't take a cork, yous tin can identify the needle on a leaf.)

  4. 4

    Identify the cork disk in the eye of the basin of water. The needle will be costless to spin around similar a compass needle, and will somewhen align itself with the poles.

  5. 5

    Wait for the needle to stop spinning. If it was properly magnetized, it should tell yous the due north–south line. Notation that unless you accept a compass or other reference, you volition not know if the needle is pointing north or s, just that it's pointing to one or the other.

    • Many websites and books say that you lot can magnetize a metal needle by rubbing information technology with wool or silk, but that will simply create static electricity, not magnetism.

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  1. 1

    Find your direction with a compass. Twenty-four hour period or night, using a compass, GPS, or cell telephone equipped with either is the all-time and easiest manner to decide directions. These devices are likewise the most accurate, making them the most reliable methods. Merely, it's important to note that when your compass points north, for instance, information technology's pointing you in the direction of magnetic north, which is different from true north (the aforementioned goes for magnetic south versus truthful southward).[14]

    • As you spin around in different directions, the compass needle will spin equally well, indicating which direction you are facing.
    • A compass volition give false readings effectually metal objects like keys, watches, and belt buckles. The aforementioned is true for magnetic objects, such as certain rocks or ability lines.
  2. 2

    Use a global positioning organisation. A GPS is arguably the easiest mode to decide direction or notice your way, because these electronic devices apply satellites to position your location. A GPS can be used to tell y'all where you are, give you directions to a specific location, and track your movements.[fifteen] A GPS must be charged and have a working battery to be functional. It should too be initialized before use, so that information technology orients itself (knows where it is) and downloads the nearly current and accurate maps.

    • Turn on your GPS, and let information technology to load and acquire signal.
    • Not but will the GPS have a compass you tin can use to determine which mode is eastward, west, northward, or due south, but on its map information technology will also have an pointer that points in the direction you are facing.
    • Your coordinates volition appear at the top of the screen, also giving y'all your longitude and latitude.
    • Because a GPS navigates using satellites, alpine buildings, large trees, and other geographic structures can interfere with its signal.
  3. 3

    Turn your prison cell phone into a navigation device. Most mod smartphones are equipped with a compass, GPS, or both. There are also applications y'all can download or software yous can install to equip your phone with these features. To use the GPS function on your phone, it must be connected to Wi-Fi or your network, and your GPS or location services must be on.

    • To access these devices, look for apps chosen "compass," "maps," or "navigation."

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Add New Question

  • Question

    How can I identify directions with a magnetic compass?

    Wildman5311

    Wildman5311

    Community Answer

    The needle will e'er point north. However, if you alive in the Western U.S., the needle points a few degrees off of true due north. This is due to the magnetic field wandering slightly.

  • Question

    How can I tell which direction I'g facing?

    Community Answer

    Remember, the sun rises in the E and sets in the West. So, if you know the fourth dimension of twenty-four hours, you lot can know your direction. If it is evening, for example, and the sun is setting, the direction of where the sun is is West, and the opposite of the direction the Sunday is East. Depending upon where yous're facing, you can determine North and Due south from this information. Remember, Never Eat Soggy Waffles for North, East, Due south, and West.

  • Question

    How can I make up one's mind directions if I can't come across the heaven?

    Community Answer

    Expect for moss on the copse. In the Northern Hemisphere, usually moss grows on the south side of a tree because that's the side that gets the most sunlight. So when you tin't run across the heaven, await for a couple of copse. If they all have moss on i side, you now where the Due south is.

  • Question

    How do I make up one's mind directions if I am clandestine?

    Community Answer

    In this situation, you would either need to notice sunlight or utilize a compass. You could also brand your ain compass.

  • Question

    Is E correct or left?

    Andreaslag

    Andreaslag

    Community Answer

    It can be confusing at times. Due east is right. If you don't remember the order of directions, outset with N and go clockwise, using this mnemonic: Never Eat Soggy Waffles.

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  • If you are planning a hiking trip, it's e'er a adept idea to become prepared with food, h2o, and a compass and map at the very least. Avoid hiking alone, but if you lot exercise, make sure someone else knows where you're going to be.

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About This Article

Commodity Summary Ten

To make up one's mind directions to North, S, East, and West, use the compass app or the GPS on your phone to see which direction you are facing. If you don't have your telephone with you or want to use primitive methods, found a stick upright into the ground. Then, place a stone where the stick's shadow ends to mark the spot. Wait 15 minutes and place some other rock where the shadow is now. Connect the two rocks with a stick and this line will become from Eastward to W, with the first rock being Due west. To learn how to brand a shadow dial or compass to tell directions, read on!

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