Thread: Declination
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Old 23-03-2021, 09:33 AM
astro744
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Join Date: Apr 2007
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The Sun method is of course more accurate and preferred but not very useful if traveling and you get to each new location after solar noon or you want to find N/S in the evening.

You can of course use a similar method as for the Sun but using stars. No shadow of course but all you need to know is when a particular star (preferably one low in the north) will be on the central meridian, i.e. culminating at greatest altitude. When a given star is on the CM simply drop a vertical to the horizon and that is the direction of true north. South is then 180 deg. behind you.

A lower star makes it easier to drop a plumb line to the horizon. You can of course do the same in the south and perhaps pick the stars of the southern cross. Note when above the SCP the stars will be culminating and this info is easily obtainable from apps like Stellarium or Sky Safari. (There is a free Sky Safari version).

Plan ahead by setting your new location into an app and seeing what stars are up in the evening. Stellarium is also available free on PC but when travelling you'll likely want an app on a mobile device.
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