Since the most ancient times the people were able to be guided in the direction of a shadow. The modern person who got used to rely on various devices substantially lost this ability. But any traveler can face what it is impossible to use the navigator or even a compass. The ancient way of definition of parts of the world on a shadow can help out in an extreme situation.
It is required to you
- - direct stick;
- - several pegs.
Instruction
1. That the sun ascends in the east, and sets in the west, even preschool children know. The error usually is not taken into account. The ordinary citizen also does not need it. Nevertheless, deviations exist, and than further the traveler is from the equator, subjects they it is more. If you are in the northern hemisphere, then at noon the sun will be located not strictly in a zenith, and will be inclined a little to the South. It is in the southern hemisphere slightly to the north.
2. Imagine a situation that you were thrown out from the plane in an unknown point and you need to define where you got. For a start it is necessary to understand in what hemisphere you are. Find a long direct stick and thrust it to the earth. Note the direction of a shadow. It is the best of all if you find nearby something, capable to replace pegs, but in an extreme situation the provision of a shadow can be noted also a stone, having put it there where comes to an end shadow.
3. Wait about a quarter of hour. The shadow during this time will manage to move a little. Look where it is directed, and make one more mark. Having connected marks, you learn where the East and where the West. The sun moves from the East the West, a shadow – on the contrary so the second mark will be to the east of the first. You will be able to determine by the provision of marks in what hemisphere you appeared. If the shadow moves clockwise, you are in the northern hemisphere, against hour – in southern.
4. Now you need to define the direction from the North on the South. For this purpose to the straight line connecting marks carry out a perpendicular. Get up so that you had an East on the right. Then before you there will be a North, and behind – the South.
5. It is possible to determine by the provision of a shadow also time. For this purpose one more long stick is required. Thrust it vertically on crossing of already drawn lines. Parts of the world are known to you. The western direction corresponds to 6 o'clock in the morning on astronomical time, the East – to 6 o'clock in the evening, the South – to midday.