Purpose
To find compass directions during the daytime.
| Procedure |
| 1. |
Outdoors
on a sunny day at solar noon (when the sun
is at its highest altitude and casts the
shortest shadows). |
| 2. |
Face
your shadow. You are facing North, and directly
behind you is South. |
| 3. |
Hold
your arms out to your sides. Your right
hand points to the East, your left to the
West. |
Results
A Sun's shadow is used to find general compass
directions.
Why?
In the Northern Hemisphere, shadows point north
at solar noon (south,
if you are in the Southern Hemisphere). Using
shadows at solar noon, one can find the other
compass directions. East is to your right, West
to your left, and South behind you.
|
