I leave you here an exact definition of what a solar compass is, and I also explain how they work!
What is a solar compass
The solar compass is an orientation instrument that uses the angle and length of the shadow of the sun to indicate the North. It has been used in civilizations such as Greece and Rome.
They worked accurately during the day until about 45 minutes before sunset (there would be no more shadows).
⏩ Click to open in another tab the definition of compass.
Differences between the solar and magnetic compass
The solar compass is very different from the magnetic compass!
☀️ Solar Compass
✔️ The solar compass is not affected by magnetic declination.
❌ The solar compass can only be used during the day because there is no light at night.
Magnetic compass
✔️ The magnetic compass can also be used at night, without light.
❌ The magnetic compass is affected by magnetic declination.
The solar compass helps you orient yourself and is very useful when the GPS does not work. How do we define it?
Like any other compass, the solar type is used to orient yourself.
This requires knowing the North, which we will do based on the sun (actually the shadow) and from there, take out the 4 cardinal points.
How a solar compass works (we make it!)
- Step #1: Adjust the declination of the Sun for that day, obtained through tables, in the limbo perpendicular to the hourly limbo.
- Step #2: Adjust the latitude in the limbo of the alidade.
- Step #3: Set the approximate local time on the time limbo that rotates on a polar axis.
The solar compass, as you have seen, does not have a very complex system. Rather, its difficulty focuses on its use since you must correctly interpret where the sun is at the time of use.
Also, you will have to adjust the crazy time, don’t forget! For craft lovers, I have also prepared other ideas such as the homemade compass and the battery of orienteering games with which we will learn a lot.
If you liked the experience of building your solar compass, surely (very surely!) you will love the virtual mobile compass that you can try without having to download anything.