Compass direction using a watch
Direction-finding watch
The photograph to the left shows a specialized 24-hour watch optimized for finding directions using the sun. With the watch set to indicate local time, the hour hand is pointed directly at the sun. North is indicated by the local noon position (In the Northern Hemisphere).
It is also possible to approximate one's bearings using an analogue watch. The method is as follows:
- Hold the watch with 12:00 pointed towards your left.
- Rotate into position so that the hour arm is pointing towards the sun.
- The point halfway between the hour arm and 12:00 points towards the south.
During daylight saving time, the same method for 11:00 holds. There are also minor inaccuracies due to the difference between local time and zone time and due to the equation of time.
See also
 | This astronomy-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |