How to find True North by looking at the Sun

How to Find North Via Our Sun

This method of use is very easy and quick to use, so if you’re a regular walker to the hills or mountains with your Ordnance Survey Maps and Compass. Or maybe a teacher, parent and would like to entertain the kids, this method would be useful to you.

The Science

We all know that the Sun rises in the East (morning) and sets in the West (Evening) and at midday 1200hrs, the Sun is high in the sky and exactly at that time if you are facing the Sun, you are looking at True South. If you turn around 180 degrees, you will now be facing North.

If you need to you could?

• Draw a line on the ground from your front position to your rear?
• Place a straight object down from you front position to your rear, like a walking stick, Hiking Pole etc.
• This will aid you in a more accurate 180 degree turn.

If you need to find north and let’s say its 10 am or 2 pm the 'Hand Span Method' bellow can quickly guide you back to North.

Authors tips: Bookmark this page via the link top right

The 'hand span method' is really simple to use once you get your head around the basics of it. Using the 'Hand Span Method' quickly helps you to track back or forward the position of the Sun, when it is highest in the sky at 12:00 hrs and in the position of True South.

For instance let’s say for example its 14:00 hrs or 2pm and you want to orientate your map quickly to North. We know at 12:00 hrs the Sun is high in the sky and facing south, and all you need to do is turn 180 degrees to face north.

But its 14:00 hrs or 2 pm and the Suns position has moved since then, you can use the 'Hand Span Method' to count back to 12:00 hrs by using the Suns position, thus finding True South and just turn 180 degrees to find North.

• The Sun is in a fixed position and only appears to move across the sky, in reality it is our Planet turning that gives the illusion. Although this is true we still refer to The Sun and Stars moving across our sky.
• We can calculate the Suns movement in one hour by this equation:
• The Sun revolves around the Earth 360 degrees, divided by 24 hours in a day, multiplied by 1 hour. (360/24x1=15 degrees)
• So the Suns Position in the sky will move approximately 15 degrees every hour
• Also if you place your hand up to the sky at arm's length, fingers and thumb spread out wide the distance from your little finger to your thumb would cover a distance of approximately 15 degrees.
• So the area of sky between your little finger and thumb is the distance the Sun will travel approximately in one hour.

Now the basics are out of the way this is how it works, We now know that the Sun travels an approximate 15 degrees across the sky every hour. Also that the 'Hand Span Method' covers 15 degrees and would be equal to the Suns movements in one hour.

Lastly to put all into practice we must understand from what side of the Sun to take our measurements.

• Remember the Sun will always travel from Left to Right as you look at it.
• For example if it is 10:00hrs or 10 am, we need to take the measurement from the Right Side of the Sun. Then count forward two hours, that's two hand spans. This will give us the future position of the Sun as it will be at 12:00hrs or midday, this area of sky is now South, turn 180 degrees and now you are facing North.
• For example if it is 14:00hrs or 2pm, we need to take the measurement from the Left Side of the Sun. Then count backwards two hours that's two hand spans. This will give us the former position of the Sun as it was at 12:00hrs or midday, this area of sky is now South, turn 180 degrees and now you are facing North.

This can be explained further in the two Examples below (A and B).

Remember you can use this for as long as the Sun is visible in the sky, at any time of the day. The earlier or later it is only means you may have to count many hand spans to find south, that's not a problem because it still works.

• Remember it is not advisable to look at the Sun directly or for long periods of time.
•  If children are using this method make sure they have suitable protection like Sun Glasses.
• Always take your measurement from the side of the Sun this will help avoid looking directly at the Sun.
• Use a compass afterwards to confirm that it works the difference between Magnetic North and True North does not affect this method.
• Have fun and remember if you bookmark this page you can easily find it again so you can refer to it.