how do you find north without a compass?

Answer 1

the sun sets in the west and rises in the east. It doesn't take Einstein to work it out. Doh

Answer 2

1. The method described by Alanthegrey is a good one that works.
2. Moss on trees, forget it, it's a myth.
3. All those I read that mentioned the North Star, got the wrong star. You look at the big dipper, imagine a line up through the two right hand stars, (not the handle) and the North Star is just right of a continuation of that line.
4. With an analogue watch, line up the hour hand with the sun, Half the angle between the hour hand and the 12 and this will give you South (in the northern hemisphere) so north is behind you.

Answer 3

The moss story does not work in tropical semi-arid areas as moss does not grow on trees or anywhere else.

Have an analog watch or clock on the correct time, not on Daylight Saving time.

In the southern hemisphere hold the watch face horizontally with the 12 position pointed toward the Sun. North is then half way between the hour hand and the 12. So at 8 am north is in the direction of the 10 number.

In the northern hemisphere, point the hour hand at the Sun and the north-south line is half way between it and the 12. So again at 8am it is in the direction of the 10.

This is accurate to within a few degrees and is spot on at whatever longitude your local time zone is centred on.

Answer 4

This method works in the northern hemisphere when it is sunny, and with some modification in the southern hemisphere.

Clear a small patch of earth and plant a small stick about 6 inches or 15 centimetres in length vertically into the ground. Note the sticks shadow and mark in the dirt where the shadow ends. Wait a short while approx 15 mins, now as the sun has moved so the shadow has moved, note and mark the end of the shadow again. Draw a strait line between the 2 shadow marks. This is your east west line. Draw another line at right angles to your east west line cutting through the east west line forming a cross. This is your north south line. Where your north south line is pointing away from the sun or stick that is north. If you are in the southern hemisphere north is in the other direction facing the sun or stick.

Answer 5

Night time you could look for the north star find the W formation and the join the 2 points up and that should be the north star - problem is they look like w and ploughs.

daytime flowers follow the sun so they should face east and you can work out north from there.

Answer 6

ok lets see, the moss thing wont always work, you need to be up early or wait till dusk to find east and west, you might be in the middle of nowhere without a magnet a needle and whatever else you need (like we all carry a needle and a magnet around with us dont we) besides a that wouldn't show true north as magnetic north is about 5 degrees off, so i'm pretty much stumped, so done a search on the net, check out the link below and i believe you will find your answer.

Al....

Answer 7

When you wake up, make a note of where the sun is rising. This is called East. When you go to lunch around 12am take note of the Sun's position. This is called South. When you're feeling tired and wish to go to bed early, take a quick look at the setting Sun. This is called West. Now, where is North?
If you live in the southern hemisphere, I'm afraid I can't help.

Answer 8

If you are in the northern hemishere: use a normal watch with hands. Point the hour hand towards the sun. South is then the direction halfway between the 12 hour and the hour hand and therefore North is behind you. If its BST just now, use the 1 o'clock hour instead of the 12 o'clock.

Answer 9

At night find the pole star this will be the direction of north. During the day north is in the opposite direction from the sun at midday.

Answer 10

On a sunny day you can use an analog watch. Make the watch point at the sun with the sun positioned half way between the hour hand and twelve the six will then point North.

Answer 11

The sun rises in the East & sets in the West. Therefore you should be able to work out North very simply