If a person is in an emergency far from civilization, then the ability to determine the 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 you know, the main directions are the North (North), South (South), West (West), East (East).
Why do you need the ability to find azimuth
FROM everyone can handle the compass, but the device may be malfunctioning or not be with you at the right time. Therefore, you should know how to find the azimuth in other ways.
Nowadays, there is by no means everywhere coverage of a mobile network or the Internet, so you should not rely on a smartphone, tablet or other mobile device. Moreover, the gadget may be discharged or completely absent.
Map azimuth determination is taught in geography in middle school. For this, a protractor, a pencil and maps of the area are used. But it is unlikely that in an unforeseen situation in the forest all these items can be with them. To determine the azimuth, there are many other methods.
Who can use the azimuth route
Mariners, aviators, representatives of the military professions, foresters and other people, often in uncivilized areas, know how to determine the azimuth, as well as their name.
In other cases, this skill is required first of all for people who prefer outdoor activities: lovers of kayaking on stormy rivers, fans of snowboarding and skiing, fishermen, mushroom pickers and herbalists, hikers and other wildlife lovers.
However, one may also need to find an azimuth for a city dweller, for example, who is moving from one settlement to another. After all, the road is unpredictable, and anything can happen. Or in the event of a crash of the liner, train, or in some other situation.
Nobody can neglect such knowledge, because once orienteering on the ground can save lives.
Orientation
No. 1: By the Sun
Sunrise spots vary depending on the time of year. But at noon, upon reaching the highest point of rise (zenith), our star is always in the South. To find the azimuth of the sun, you need to become your back to it. Then the front will be South, on the right - East, and on the left - West.
It should be borne in mind two important nuances: firstly, in the southern hemisphere, determining the azimuth will be the opposite method; secondly, noon should be local time. If there is no watch, then you should measure the moment when the shadow will be the shortest. To do this, at short intervals, you can make serifs on the ground.
No. 2: By the Sun and the Clock
When there is no way to wait for noon, you can determine the azimuth from the Sun and the dial. The clock must be laid horizontally, the hour hand on the sun. Then divide in half the angle between this hand and the noon hour indicator (“12”). The midline points to the South. It is also important to know the local time, otherwise the direction will be incorrect.
No. 3: The North Star
Almost everyone is able to determine the location of Ursa Minor in the starry sky. The trailing element in the tail of the constellation and at the same time the brightest point in our horizon is the North Star. With its help, movement in azimuth is extremely simple: if you keep the course straight at it, then 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, in good weather it will be easy to find a constellation consisting of 4 large stars arranged in a cross. To find the azimuth, you need to determine the intersection of two lines: you should mentally draw the first line through two stars lying to the left of the Southern Cross, and the second through the constellation along the long side. You get an arrow pointing to the South.
Calculating the azimuth along the Moon is more difficult, but as a rule, this is not required, since if the weather is not cloudy, then finding the Small Bucket and the Polar Star is as simple as an Earth satellite.
Even in bad weather conditions and without a compass, mobile device, map, or watch, you can always determine the azimuth in the wild by natural signs.
No. 5: Through deciduous trees
The bark of most trees in the northern part is coarser and less elastic. And in birches, the southern side of the trunks is lighter than the rest. At the same time, to adjust the route in azimuth, it is necessary to consider not one, but several closely located trees.
The crown of trees in a sparse forest is more luxurious from the south. In relation to a dense , dense forest, the sign “does not work”, because due to the close proximity to each other, the 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 strongly purged territories: a tree can save its crown, directing its growth in the opposite direction from the priority direction of the winds.
No. 6: Coniferous Trees
Cracked pine bark is located above the northern part of the trunk. Coniferous resin protrudes more abundantly towards the south.
No. 7: In the hole
The holes of trees extend southward.
No. 8: By type of forest
Fir and spruce grow in the mountains on the north side, while oak and pine prefer the southern slopes.
No. 9: By the Anthill
It is easy to navigate the azimuth direction along the anthill: they are located south of the nearest tree, stump, stone or shrub, and the south side is always more gentle, in contrast to the north - the steepest.
No. 10: By Berries and Fruits
Fruits of fruit trees, as well as berries, ripen faster from the south side.
No. 11: By color
Flowers love sunlight and always turn to it. For example, sunflower never "looks" to the north.
No. 12: By mushrooms
Mushrooms grow on the northern side of trees, bushes or logs, they can also appear on the southern side, but much less often.
No. 13: By Moss
In the north, trees, stones, hemp, as well as roofing are covered with moss, fungus or lichen more intensively than on other sides.
No. 14: In the snow
Snow melts faster on the southern slopes. You can also adjust the azimuth movement in winter or spring according to the texture of the upper snow layer: the looser one lies near the northern part of a separately growing tree. From the south, it becomes faster covered with ice, since the sun's rays fall on it, the snow melts and turns into ice at night.
No. 15: On the rocks
On the north side, the stones are more abundantly covered with moss and fungi.
No. 16: By Birds
Migratory birds travel north in the spring and fall south in the fall.
No. 17: By soil
If in summer the soil near buildings, large boulders, trees and shrubs is wet to the touch, then the side is the north. If absolutely dry, then this is south. In the early morning and late evening the method is useless due to the dew.
No. 18: On the grass
In summer, the northern outskirts of the glades have greener and more juicy grass than the southern ones, because they are in the shade and do not burn out in the sun.
No. 19: By construction
Azimuth movement can be carried out in churches, synagogues, chapels, mosques or other religious buildings, as they are strictly oriented in parts of the world. The upper part of the slanting crossbar of the Cross, located on the dome of the Orthodox Church, points to the north, respectively, its lower part - to the south. The altar of the Catholic Church is located at the western wall, and the altar in the Lutheran - in the east. The main doors of the Buddhist monasteries are located in the south, and the synagogues and mosques in the north.
In the old villages, houses were built with living rooms closer to the southeast, and there are more windows on such sides. In addition, the paint burns out and peels off faster on the southern walls.
The entrance to the yurt is often organized from the south, so that less frosty wind gets into the structure.
No. 20: On other grounds
Rectangular poles are installed in the forest clearings, at the top of which there are inscriptions. An edge between 2 faces with small numbers indicates the north direction.
There are much more of these methods of orienting on the terrain, and in order to correctly determine the azimuth, it is necessary to analyze all the available features in the aggregate. You should 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 in a circle. Going on vacation in the wild, you should always have with you the most necessary navigation devices and tools, even if you do not plan a long hike.
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