Jadon Archery
225004304
Building Science
Task 3
Finding North
Using a watch
In the Southern Hemisphere, the sun is generally in the northern part of the sky during the day.
So, if you can determine where the sun is, and use your watch as a reference, you can estimate
where true north is
WHAT YOU NEED:
An analog watch (not digital).
The current local time (preferably standard time, not daylight-saving time).
A clear view of the sun.
Your watch set correctly to your time zone.
STEPS TO FIND NORTH:
1. Hold the watch flat and horizontal
Like a compass — the face of the watch should be parallel to the ground.
2. Point the 12 o'clock mark toward the sun
This is opposite from the method in the Northern Hemisphere, where you point the
hour hand at the sun.
3. Find the midpoint between the 12 and the hour hand
Mentally calculate the angle between the 12 o'clock mark and the hour hand.
Then, find the midpoint of that angle.
4. That midpoint indicates north
The imaginary line from the center of the watch face through that midpoint shows you
north.
The opposite direction will be south.
Using stars
The most reliable and iconic way is by using the Southern Cross (Crux) constellation.
HOW TO FIND SOUTH USING THE SOUTHERN CROSS
STEP 1: Find the Southern Cross (Crux)
Look for a small, cross-shaped constellation.
It has 5 main stars: 4 form the shape of a cross, and the 5th is dimmer and slightly off to
the side.
The long axis of the cross — from the top star to the bottom one — is the key to finding
south.
Helpful Tip: Crux is often visible year-round in much of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America.
STEP 2: Find the “Pointer Stars”
These are two bright stars (Alpha and Beta Centauri) that appear near the Southern
Cross.
They help confirm you're looking at the real Southern Cross, not a similar-looking
constellation.
STEP 3: Extend the Long Axis
Mentally draw a line 5 times the length of the long axis of the Southern Cross.
Start from the top of the cross and extend it downward through the bottom star.
STEP 4: Drop a Line to the Horizon
From the point you reached by extending the line 5 times, draw a straight line down to
the horizon.
That point on the horizon is true south.
Star at north
Shadow Stick Method
What You’ll Need:
A straight stick (about 60–100 cm long)
Two small stones or markers
A flat, level surface with direct sunlight
HOW TO FIND TRUE NORTH OR SOUTH USING A STICK
1. Push the Stick Upright into the Ground
The stick should be vertical.
It will cast a shadow on the ground.
2. Mark the Tip of the Shadow (Point A)
Use a stone or draw a small mark where the shadow ends.
This is the morning shadow — it will point west.
3. Wait 15–30 Minutes
The sun moves across the sky, and the shadow will move too.
The shadow will get shorter and swing eastward.
4. Mark the New Shadow Tip (Point B)
This second mark is the afternoon shadow — it will point east.
5. Draw a Line Between the Two Marks (A → B)
This is your east–west line.
Point A (first shadow) = west
Point B (second shadow) = east
6. Stand with West on Your Left and East on Your Right
You are now facing true north (if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere).
If you're in the Northern Hemisphere, you're facing true south.