The sundial is an ancient instrument used to determine the time of day by observing the position of the sun in the sky
It can also be used as a orientation technique in situations where there is no available a compass or other type of navigation instruments.
Here I present some orientation techniques with a sundial and how to do them:
Horizontal sundial:
To make a horizontal sundial, you will need a thin rod or stick and a piece of paper or a credit card.
Stick the rod into the ground and place the card or paper under it, so that it rests on the ground and forms a 90-degree angle with the rod.
During the day, the sun will move along the card or paper, leaving a mark on it.
At the end of the day, the mark will indicate the approximate time.
⌚ Analog sundial:
To make an analog sundial, you will need a thin rod or stick, a sheet of paper or a credit card, and a compass.
Stick the rod into the ground and place the card or paper under it, so that it rests on the ground and forms a 90-degree angle with the rod.
Use the compass to draw a circle on the paper or card, dividing it into 12 equal parts.
During the day, the sun will move across the card or paper, leaving a mark on it.
At the end of the day, the mark will indicate the approximate time.
Give a touch of humor to your sundial!
If you don’t have a rod or stick on hand, you can always use a tree branch or even a broom handle.
But be careful, some trees can get angry if you cut off a branch without permission.
Remember that these techniques can be useful in situations where you do not have access to a compass or other types of navigation instruments.
Use this free compass if you need to orient yourself in nature.
With a little practice and patience, you can use a sundial to orient yourself in the world.