in cartography, geography, there has long been the concept of the compass.They are required to identify areas in the locality and the map used in the construction, transportation, help in other activities.How to determine where north, south, west, east?Let us find out what side of the horizon, how to navigate them.
Main directions
In ancient times man has learned to define its position on the ground, noting that every day the sun rises because of the horizon in the east and sets in the evening in the west.The ability to navigate helped our ancestors to find a way home, to hunt, to cultivate plants.The principle of the division of space was an important step in the study of a man of the world.The main directions of the world in ancient times got its current name (north, south, west, east).Over time, devices for observing the Sun and planets, measuring devices are becoming more sophisticated.Scientists have found that the North and South geographic poles - two opposite points at which the surface of our planet crosses the imaginary line - the Earth's axis.
determine where north, south, west, east?
directions east and west are connected with one of the motions of the Earth - rotation around its axis.Morning sun appears from behind the horizon in the east, noon reaches the zenith of the evening goes to the other side of the sky and sets in the west.There are differences in the position of the sun at different latitudes associated with the tilt of Earth's axis.At noon on the equator light located directly above your head.In winter in the Northern Hemisphere - is shifting to the south in the summer - to the north.In the summer you can watch the sunrise in the south-west, winter - in the southeast.In polar and subpolar latitudes lasts six months polar night, the sun does not rise over the horizon.When the six months of the year the sun never sets - Polar Day occurs.The northern region is the magnetic pole, which is turned in the direction of the compass needle.In the other part of the planet is the southernmost continent - Antarctica.Determine direction if one of them is known, it is possible by a simple method.Need to get up so that the face was turned to the north.Then behind will be in the south, to the left - west, on the right - east.
Mutual position of major and minor parties horizon
There main directions - north, south, west, east, - which are complemented by intermediaries.This division is very convenient, it allows you to more accurately determine the position on the ground, find objects on maps and topographic plans.For example, the north-east - side of the horizon, located between the direction of the north and east.On the maps, plans, dials, textbooks, reference notation introduced by the first letter of the Russian or the Latin name.There is a more detailed division of the horizon.So, between the direction of a and c are in the north-northeast (NNE) and east-northeast (ENE).
Cardinal on the plans, maps and globes
In the old explorers and travelers relied on the cards, which could be at the bottom of the north and the south - at the top.Knowledge of the Earth's surface were imperfect, many geographers were mistaken, causing objects on the plans and maps.There were so-called "white spots" - an unexplored area.As a rule, modern geographical plans and maps is at the top of the north, the south is located below the left - west, the right - east.
same principle used to create the globe.Its upper half - the northern hemisphere, the bottom - South.To the left of the prime meridian West is located on the right - Eastern Hemisphere.The place where the ball mount to the stand - the South Pole, opposite point - the North Pole.Easy to find any geographical object if you know its location.North, south, west, east - the main directions, as well as the latitude and longitude on a map and globe.Continents, oceans, plains, mountains, the sea, the city and other geographic objects that are above the equator are north, below parallel 0 ° - south.Objects left of the prime meridian west longitude have the right - east.
Compass - a device for providing direction
Finding side of the horizon, and navigate the terrain makes a device equipped with a two-color magnetic needle.Usually it is free to rotate in the center of the circular housing.The device, which is used to determine directions - a compass.North, south, west, east, marked by letters on the scale of the device.Red Island, addressed to the division of "C" or «N», points to the north.The opposite of the arrow is directed to the south.To the left of this axis is the west, on the right - east.Inside there is a compass dial with numbers from 0 to 360 °, located in a clockwise direction.Graduation in different devices may be different.Using the Compass allows:
- find out where each of the major parts of the world (north, south, east, west).
- Identify all intermediate parties horizon.
- Find Azimuth - angle between the subject of the terrain and the direction of the north.
Compass needs many professions - seamen, airmen, military, construction workers, geologists, as well as tourists and travelers.There are different types of devices, helping to navigate along the lines of Earth's magnetic field.
Directions on site (north, south, west, east)
Determine your location can be on the celestial bodies, natural phenomena, and featured the nearest objects.At noon, when the sun is in the south, the shadow of the vertically arranged items sent its apex northward.At night, you should try to find the North Star.Two extreme bright spots of the Big Dipper, forms the walls of the Big Dipper, is called a pointer.A straight line through their behavior, rests directly at Polaris.It is located in the northern half of the sky, is the constellation Ursa Minor.
good helper for those who have gone astray - wristwatch.To find the direction, turn the dial clockwise to the sun.It forms an angle between a line leading to the digit 1 (13.00), which is divided in half and get the bisector (she points to the south).Orientation for Local signs:
- on the north side of trees thicker layer of lichens and mosses;
- drier soil under the stones, facing south;
- winter on the north side of the snow stays longer loose;
- anthills often are located south of the hills, the trees, the stones;
- cuttings which divide the forest into blocks, oriented from east to west and from north to south (note their serial numbers on poles, starting with NW and the SE).
Each method has an error that must be considered in the area.It is best to use several methods, then the result will be more precise.
