How to Find Direction Using the Sun and Stars

[Kfilly]

There are a few constellations I learned how to use to find the North Star. The videos are made by one of my favorite YouTube channels called Alfieesthetics. He has a lot of great survival videos, and he is fairly funny. Just a heads up though. He does curse a little so probably do not want to watch around young children.


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K2nx8VqvfQY
Orion

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eSRAZrrMRQI
Cassiopeia

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_xnv6JE69TE
Summer Triangle

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n_gT9nBfhfo
Ursa Major--AKA the Big Dipper

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kZL0qGkoJIk
Bonus: Using the sun and sticks to find north

[hawgrider]

https://content.artofmanliness.com/uploads/2017/02/sun-640x652.jpg


(1) If you do not have a compass, you can use the sun to find approximate true north (and from north, any other direction). The method explained below can be used any time the sun is bright enough for a stick placed in the ground to cast a shadow (fig. 2-2).

(a) Steps to follow. Find a fairly straight stick about 1 meter long and follow these steps:

Step 1: Push the stick into the ground at a fairly level, http://www.artofmanliness.com/2017/03/03/find-direction-without-compass/

[juskom95]

They taught us this in the Army . . . and it never stuck.

We always ended up using natural landmarks over anything else.

[Arklatex]

Here's more info to help daytime navigation. Making and using a shadow board: http://www.theoutdoortradingpost.com/showthread.php?t=4947

[hawgrider]

Watch Method




You can also determine direction using a common or analog watch (one that has hands). The direction will be accurate if you are using true local time, without any changes for daylight savings time. Remember, the further you are from the equator, the more accurate this method will be. If you only have a digital watch, you can overcome this obstacle. Quickly draw a watch on a circle of paper with the correct time on it and use it to determine your direction at that time.

In the northern hemisphere, hold the watch horizontal and point the hour hand at the sun. Bisect the angle between the hour hand and the 12 o'clock mark to get the north-south line. If there is any doubt as to which end of the line is north,
http://www.survival-manual.com/orienteering.php