Lyla Lindsey
In Australia, finding true north is a unique challenge due to the country's geographical location. Compasses, contrary to popular belief, do not point to the North Pole; instead, they indicate magnetic north, which is a wandering point influenced by the Earth's magnetic field. This means that when using a compass in Australia, you are likely pointing towards magnetic north, which is about 400km south of the North Pole, or true north. To navigate towards true north in Australia, you must understand the concept of declination, which is the angle difference between true north and magnetic north. This value can be found on maps or government websites. With this information, you can adjust your compass to account for the discrepancy. Alternatively, you can use the position of the sun, stars, or an analog watch to determine true north without relying on a compass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is true north? | A geographical direction represented on maps and globes by lines of longitude. |
| What is the difference between true north and magnetic north? | Magnetic north is a point in the Arctic regions of Canada that continually shifts location based on the activity of Earth's magnetic fields. True north is a fixed point, the North Pole. |
| How to find true north using a compass | First, find magnetic north. Then, adjust for declination, the difference between true north and magnetic north. |
| How to find true north without a compass | Using the sun, the hour hand of an analog watch, or the stars. |
| How to find true north using a Global Positioning System (GPS) | Select a "true north" setting on your GPS or the mapping application on your smartphone. |
| How to find true north in Australia | In 2019, magnetic north and true north were aligned in some parts of Western Australia. To find true north in other parts of Australia, you can use a compass and adjust for declination, or use the sun, the hour hand of an analog watch, or the stars. |
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What You'll Learn
Using a compass
It is important to know that most compasses do not point to the North Pole, but rather to magnetic north, which is a spot in the Arctic near the North Pole. This difference is often negligible in everyday situations, but it can present problems when navigating in the wilderness. This phenomenon is called declination. The Earth's magnetic field fluctuates, so the number of degrees by which a compass will be "off" from true north also changes over time.
To use a compass to find true north in Australia, you must first find magnetic north. To do this, hold your compass flat and level in front of you. If your compass has a travel arrow (usually a skinny red arrow on the flat lower portion of the compass), point this forward. Watch the motion of the compass needle. When the needle stops moving, note the direction the needle points. This will be the north-south axis. Most modern compasses have a needle that is half red and half white. In this case, the red end of the needle is the north-pointing end.
Next, turn your body until the compass's needle is lined up with the orienting arrow on the bezel (and, thus, the travel arrow as well). You are now facing magnetic north. To find true north, turn the bezel the same magnitude and direction as your declination value. Most compasses will have degree markers on the bezel to help you do this. Then, line up your needle and your orienting arrow by turning your body again. You should now be facing true north.
It is worth noting that in some parts of Western Australia, there is currently zero declination, meaning that magnetic north and true north are the same. This is a rare occurrence, as magnetic north and true north are usually distinct directions.
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Using the sun
In the Southern Hemisphere, the sun's movements are more predictable, making it a simple and effective method to determine direction using an analog watch, especially when maps or GPS devices are unavailable. Here are the steps to find true north in Australia using the sun:
The Watch Method
Firstly, ensure your analog watch is set to the correct local time. Hold the watch flat in your palm or lay it on a flat surface with the watch face facing up. Rotate the watch until the 12 o'clock mark is pointing directly towards the sun. Then, find the midpoint by drawing an imaginary line that bisects the angle between the 12 o'clock mark and the hour hand. This line represents the north-south line, with true north being the side pointing towards the sun.
The Shadow Stick Method
Find a straight stick or branch approximately one meter long. Choose a level spot free of obstructions where the stick will cast a clear shadow. Insert the stick vertically into the ground and mark the tip of the shadow with a stone or another visible marker. This first mark represents the west direction. Wait for approximately 10-15 minutes for the shadow to move a noticeable distance and mark the new tip of the shadow, which represents the east direction. Draw a line connecting these two marks to create an east-west line. To determine north, stand with the west mark to your left and the east mark to your right. You are now facing north.
The sun's position in the sky varies throughout the year due to the Earth's axis being tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees relative to its orbit around the sun. At noon, the sun is directly overhead at the equator. At the summer solstice, which occurs around December 21st in the Southern Hemisphere, the sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn. By observing the sun's position and understanding its relationship to the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn, you can estimate your latitude and determine your direction.
It's important to remember that these methods provide approximate directions and may not be highly precise. Additionally, factors like time zones, time of day, season, and latitude can affect the accuracy of these techniques.
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Using the stars
Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, so you won't be able to use the North Star, Polaris, to find true north. However, there are several other methods that involve using the stars.
The Southern Cross
The Southern Cross constellation can be used to find south. Locate the four bright stars that make up the Southern Cross and draw an imaginary line through the two stars that make up the long axis of the cross. Extend this line about five times its original length, and you will be facing the South Pole.
The Pointers
If it's still night and you can't find the Southern Cross, there is another method. Find two sticks and lie down. Push one stick into the ground so it's at eye level. Take a second, slightly taller stick and push it into the ground behind the first one until they line up with a bright star from your position. If the star moves to the left, you are facing north; if it moves to the right, you are facing south; and if it moves up or down, you are facing east or west, respectively.
The Moon
The moon can also be used to find true north. It moves across the sky in an east-west direction, so if it's early in the night, keep the moon on your right to face north; if it's late, keep it on your left.
The Watch Method
If the moon isn't visible, you can use an analogue watch. Hold it horizontally in the palm of your hand and point the hour hand to the sun. Draw an imaginary line between the hour hand and the 12 o'clock mark to create the north-south line. If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, it will be the other way around. If your watch is set to daylight saving time, wind it back an hour.
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Using a GPS
Most GPS receivers typically use true north as their default setting, but some are also programmed to calculate magnetic north based on data tables and the device's interpretation of the true location. This is often referred to as "automatic" north reference. In doing so, the device can determine the direction and location of the North Pole. However, it's important to note that true north and magnetic north are not the same. True north, also known as geographic north or geodetic north, is the direction of the North Pole, the northernmost point of the Earth's rotational axis. On the other hand, magnetic north is the direction a compass needle points towards the northern end of the Earth's magnetic field. The difference between true north and magnetic north is known as declination, and it changes depending on your location and over time due to fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field.
To ensure accuracy, you can manually set your GPS device to use true north as its reference. Most GPS devices allow you to select a "true north" setting or use a true north reference line, such as a line of longitude or the North Star. Additionally, you can download a topographical map to your GPS device or smartphone, which can help you navigate and determine your location in relation to landmarks.
It's worth mentioning that when using a GPS in conjunction with a map and a compass, you may need to do conversions between different north references. For example, grid north, which is based on UTM grid lines, is often used as a reference line on maps and is usually very close to true north. However, in some cases, you may need to account for the small difference between these two references when high accuracy is required.
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Using a map
When using a map, there may be different types of north to consider: true north, grid north, and magnetic north. Grid north is the direction of north indicated on a map projection, and it may differ slightly from true north. However, the difference is usually small and insignificant for most navigational purposes.
To find true north using a map, you need to know the local declination value, which is the angle difference between true north and magnetic north for your specific location. Declination values can change over time due to fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field, so it's important to use a recently published map or consult government websites for up-to-date information. Some maps may include declination values in their legends, or you can find them online at websites like the National Centers for Environmental Information (formerly the National Geophysical Data Center).
Once you have the declination value for your area, you can use it to adjust your compass to find true north. First, hold your compass flat and level in front of you, allowing the needle to stop moving and indicate the north-south axis. Then, turn the bezel or orienting arrow to match the declination value. Finally, turn your body until the compass needle aligns with the orienting arrow. At this point, you will be facing true north.
Additionally, you can use a Global Positioning System (GPS) or a smartphone app with GPS capabilities to determine true north. Many cell phones have built-in GPS features or compass apps that can assist in finding your bearings. By downloading a topographical map or using your GPS location, you can navigate and determine true north with the help of technology.
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Frequently asked questions
To find true north using a compass, you must first find your local declination value, the angle difference between true north and magnetic north. You can find this information on a map or online. Once you know the local declination value, you can adjust your compass to find true north.
There are several ways to find true north without a compass. One way is to use an analog watch. Point the hour hand towards the sun if you're in the Northern Hemisphere, or the 12 o'clock mark if you're in the Southern Hemisphere. Then, find the halfway mark between the hour hand and the 12 o'clock point to locate the north-south line. Another way is to use the stars. If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, find the Big Dipper constellation and trace a line along the two outermost stars until you reach the North Star, which is nearly above true north. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, find the constellation known as the Southern Cross.
To find true north in Australia, you can use the same methods as above. However, it's important to note that the declination value in Australia can vary significantly depending on the location. For example, in Perth, the declination is currently close to 0°, while in eastern Australia, it can be up to 12°. Additionally, there are parts of Western Australia where magnetic north and true north are currently aligned, which means a compass will point directly to true north.
