2007-08-20 22:12:30 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
at noon GMT, the sun is due south, in the UK.
due north is directly behind.
at night look for the pole star. If you can identify the big dipper (Ursa Major), the two stars at the dipper end, forming the bottom/front edge of the bowl) point roughly towards the pole star
2007-08-20 22:23:49 · answer #1 · answered by Vinni and beer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To use your watch as an approximate compass outside of the tropics in the northern hemisphere, hold the watch horizontal and point the hour hand at the sun.
Half way between that point and the twelve o'clock mark on your watch points to the south. For example, if it is eight o'clock, point the 8 on the watch face at the sun and south would be at the ten o'clock position. If it is four o'clock, point the 4 on the watch face at the sun and south would be in the two o'clock position. At midday (twelve o'clock), the hour hand itself should point south.
Obviously then North is directly opposite!
2007-08-21 05:25:39 · answer #2 · answered by lloydthebear 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put a stick in the ground and mark the end point of a shadow. Wait about 15min-1hour for the sun to move and mark the end of the shadow again.
That is your east-west bearing. North is perpendicular to that. You just need to know the nature of the sun in your area to determine left or right.
If it's directly above you, and you don't know where in the world you are, then you may have to wait for nightfall (unless there is any way you can observe the Coriolis effect at your present position).
2007-08-21 09:51:27 · answer #3 · answered by Master C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look for North Star.
2007-08-21 05:44:30 · answer #4 · answered by The Fresh Prince 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At night, the North Star. In the day, with a stick and the sun's shadow. Ask a Boy Scout to explain that one.
2007-08-21 05:18:10 · answer #5 · answered by ZORCH 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Day time Stand facing Sun your left side is the north
2007-08-21 05:24:34 · answer #6 · answered by skrn_d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Using an analogue watch:- point the hour hand at the sun North is then at the 5 o'clock BST or 6 o'clock GMT position.
2007-08-21 05:29:08 · answer #7 · answered by john k 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
by looking at the sky and seeing the north star and following it
by floating a iron needle on a cork that has been magnetised
by seeing where the sun rises and sets and then ascertaining where east and west is and then standing so its setting to your left and you should be facing north
2007-08-21 12:41:39 · answer #8 · answered by ~*tigger*~ ** 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look in the nighttime sky for the North Star.
2007-08-21 05:18:56 · answer #9 · answered by Northstar 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sun rises in the East so put the Sun to your Left and you're now facing North!
2007-08-21 05:22:15 · answer #10 · answered by brit_plod 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋