Very noob question

[klompa]

Hi guy does anyone know a website or phone app to goto to find out true south? I live in Perth and I have just broken my telescope out after 2 years. I'm not taking photos or video so i'm just looking for how many degrees off magnetic south.

thanks guys.

[Dave221]

It might be worth trying either of these two sites:
http://www.magnetic-declination.com/
http://www.ga.gov.au/oracle/geomag/agrfform.jsp

[raymo]

Mr Google will tell you.
raymo

[StuTodd]

Welcome to the wonderful astro community!

You need to find when the Sun culminates at your location.
Use https://www.suncalc.org/#/-31.949,115.9284,8/2018.01.30/13:31/1/0 and drag the red balloon marker thing to your site. Click the >I< button and it shows the current date and time.

Under that, it says "Culmination" and will give a time.

Go and set up a gnomon (straight up 90-degree pole) like on a sundial but using a straight pole. broom handle etc...

At the time given by suncalc for culmination, the shadow cast by your gnomon is true North to South.

Easy as that Steve! :thumbsup:

[Wavytone]

For Perth -1.7 degrees, so geographic south (ie the celestial pole) is 1.7 degree west of magnetic south.

[Malcolm]

@StuTodd, nice link, thanks. :-)

[klompa]

cheers guys its just been a while and I have lost all my resources.

thanks again.

[Multiverse]

StuTodd, what a great little website/program - cheers.

[StuTodd]

:thumbsup:

Just wish I was clever enough to write useful software like that :lol: