Calculation of azimuth and orientation on the ground

If a person was in an emergency situation away from civilization, then the ability to determine azimuth becomes extremely necessary for orientation and survival. The azimuth is the angle between the required object and the direction to the north. It may be needed for orientation in space, and for this it is necessary to know the direction of the parts of the world. As is known, the main directions are the North (North), South (South), West (West), East (East).

Why do you need to find a bearing

With the definition of azimuth on the compass can handle everyone, but the device may be faulty or not to be carried at the right time. Therefore, you should know how to find the azimuth in other ways.

In our time, there is not anywhere to cover the mobile network or the Internet, so you do not need to rely on a smartphone, tablet or other mobile device. Moreover, the gadget can be discharged or not at all.

The definition of azimuth on the map is taught on geography in the middle classes of the school. For this, a protractor, a pencil and terrain maps are used. But it is unlikely that in an unforeseen situation in the forest, all these items may be with them. To determine the azimuth, there are many other methods.

Who can use the route in azimuth

Navigators, aviators, representatives of military professions, foresters and other people, often in uncivilized terrain, know how to define azimuth, just as well as their name.

In other cases, this skill is mandatory first for people who prefer active outdoor recreation: amateurs can raft on canoe races, fans of snowboarding and skiing, fishermen, mushroom pickers and herbalists, hikers and other admirers of wildlife.

However, a city dweller, for example, who is moving from one settlement to another, may sometimes need to find the azimuth. After all, the road is unpredictable, and everything can happen. Or in case of wreck of a liner, a train, or in some other situation.

Such knowledge can not be ignored by anyone, because once the orientation on the terrain can save a life.

Orientation to the sides of the world

No. 1: The Sun

The places of sunrise are different depending on the season. But at noon, after reaching the highest point of the rise (zenith), our star is always in the South. To find the azimuth of the Sun, it is necessary to become a back to it. Then the front will be the South, the East on the right, and the West on the left.

It should be borne in mind two important nuances: first, in the southern hemisphere, the definition of azimuth will be the reverse method; Secondly, noon should be local time. If there is no clock, then you should measure the moment when the shadow will be the shortest. To do this, in small intervals, you can make a notch on the ground.

No. 2: The Sun and the Clock

When there is no opportunity to wait for noon, it is possible to determine the azimuth along the Sun and the dials. The clock should be placed horizontally, the hour hand should be placed on the Sun. Then divide the angle between this arrow and the noon hour indicator ("12"). The median line points to the South. It is also important to know the local time, otherwise the direction will be incorrect.

No. 3: According to the Polar Star

Almost every person is able to determine the location of the Little Ursa in the starry sky. The closing element in the tail of the constellation and at the same time the brightest point on our horizon is the North Star. With its help, the movement along the azimuth is very simple: if you keep the course directly to it, the direction will be to the North.

No. 4: By the constellation of the Southern Cross

If the traveler is in the southern hemisphere of the planet, with good weather it will be easy to find a constellation consisting of 4 large stars, located in the form of a cross. To find the azimuth, you need to determine the intersection of two straight lines: you should mentally draw the first line through the two stars that lie to the left of the Southern Cross, and the second through the constellation along the long side. An arrow points to the South.

It is more difficult to calculate the azimuth for the Moon, but as a rule this is not required, since if the weather is not cloudy, then it is as easy to find the Small Dipper and the Polar Star as the Earth satellite.

Even in conditions of bad weather and without having a compass, a mobile device, a map, or a clock, you can always determine the azimuth in the wild by natural signs.

No. 5: Deciduous trees

The bark of most trees from the northern part is coarser and less elastic. And at the birches the southern side of the trunks is lighter than the rest. In this case, to correct the route along the azimuth, it is necessary to consider not one but several closely located trees.

The crown of trees in a thin forest is more luxurious from the south. With respect to a deaf, dense forest, the sign "does not work," because in connection with close proximity to each other, trees try to find any path from the shade to the sun, and this can be any part of the world. The same applies to heavily blown areas: a tree can save its crown, directing its growth in the opposite direction from the priority direction of the winds.

№ 6: Coniferous trees

The cracked pine bark is located above the northern part of the trunk. The pitch of coniferous rocks is more abundant in the direction of the south.

№ 7: On the hole

The wells of the trees are stretched in a southerly direction.

№ 8: By type of forest

In the mountains from the north side, fir and spruce grows, and the oak and pine prefer the southern slopes.

№ 9: According to the anthill

It is easy to orientate the direction of travel along the azimuth along the anthill: they are located to the south of the nearest tree, stump, stone or shrub, and the southern side is always more sloping, unlike the northern one - the steepest.

№ 10: For berries and fruits

The fruits of fruit trees, as well as berries, ripen faster on the southern side.

№ 11: By flowers

Flowers love the sunlight and always turn to it. For example, a sunflower never "looks" to the north.

№ 12: On mushrooms

Mushrooms grow on the northern side of trees, bushes or logs, on the southern side they can also appear, but much less frequently.

№ 13: In the moss

From the north, trees, stones, hemp, and decking of roofs are covered with moss, fungus or lichen more intensively than on other sides.

№ 14: In the snow

The snow melts faster on the southern slopes. Adjust the movement along the azimuth in winter or spring also according to the texture of the upper layer of snow: the more loose one lies near the northern part of the separately growing tree. From the south - it is covered with icing more quickly, since it receives sun rays, snow melts and turns into ice at night.

№ 15: On the rocks

On the north side, the stones are covered with moss and fungi.

No. 16: Birds

Migratory birds in the spring go to the north, and in the fall - to the south.

№ 17: According to the soil

If in summer the soil near buildings, large boulders, trees and shrubs to the touch is wet, then the side is northern. If absolutely dry, then it's south. Early morning and late evening the method is useless because of the dew.

No. 18: On the grass

In the summer, the northern outskirts of the glades have a greener and juicy grass than the southern ones, since they are in the shade and do not burn out in the sun.

No. 19: For buildings

The movement along the azimuth can be carried out by churches, synagogues, chapels, mosques or other religious buildings, since they are strictly oriented in parts of the world. The upper part of the oblique crossbar of the Cross, located on the dome of the Orthodox Church, points to the north, respectively, the lower part of it - to the south. The altar of the Catholic church is located at the western wall, and the altar in the Lutheran church is in the east. The main doors of the Buddhist monasteries are located in the southern direction, and the synagogues and mosques are in the north.

In the old villages, houses were built by living rooms closer to the southeast, and on such sides of the windows more. In addition, the paint burns out and flakes faster on the southern walls.

The entrance to the yurt is more often organized from the south, so that less frosty wind gets inside the structure.

No. 20: Other features

In the forest clearings are installed rectangular pillars, at the top of which there are inscriptions. The edge between the two faces with small figures indicates the north direction.

Methods of orientation on the terrain there are many more listed, and in order to correctly determine the azimuth, it is necessary to analyze all available attributes in the aggregate. Do not rely on a couple of coincidences. Having determined the route in azimuth, you need to regularly monitor yourself, so as not to go astray and not go around in circles. Going on vacation in the wild, you should always carry the most necessary navigation instruments and tools, even if a long trip is not planned.

Source: https://avtonomsurvival.ru