navi:navigation

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navi:navigation [2026/03/16 19:30] – Simon Grantnavi:navigation [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Navigation+This topic is part of [[gt:bushcraft|Bushcraft & Nature]] and [[gt:transport|Transport & freight]]. 
 +====== Navigation ======
  
  
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-## What is navigation?+===== What is navigation? =====
  
 Navigation is the art and science of getting from A to B. People have been navigating since time immemorial, driven by the need to find food and shelter, and later to trade and explore. Before the advent of accurate instruments, early navigators relied on clues in the natural world: seafaring peoples like the Polynesians were able to migrate great distances by observing the behaviour of the sea and its inhabitants, and early traders followed stars or the seasonal (trade) winds. Navigation is the art and science of getting from A to B. People have been navigating since time immemorial, driven by the need to find food and shelter, and later to trade and explore. Before the advent of accurate instruments, early navigators relied on clues in the natural world: seafaring peoples like the Polynesians were able to migrate great distances by observing the behaviour of the sea and its inhabitants, and early traders followed stars or the seasonal (trade) winds.
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Map and compass+==== Map and compass ====
  
 A [map](http://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/map/) is a scaled-down representation of the real world. Topographical maps show terrain, features and elevation using symbols and drawings. Being able to interpret these allows you to move between two places on the ground guided by the map. A good, detailed map with a key will tell you: A [map](http://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/map/) is a scaled-down representation of the real world. Topographical maps show terrain, features and elevation using symbols and drawings. Being able to interpret these allows you to move between two places on the ground guided by the map. A good, detailed map with a key will tell you:
  
 - how steep hills are (by how close contour lines are - the farther apart the lines, the gentler the slope, and the flatter the terrain). - how steep hills are (by how close contour lines are - the farther apart the lines, the gentler the slope, and the flatter the terrain).
-     
- 
 - the lowest point in a valley if there is water running through it (represented by a blue line). - the lowest point in a valley if there is water running through it (represented by a blue line).
-     
- 
 - what kind of terrain you’re in or what lies ahead (e.g. if there’s woodland and what kind it is). - what kind of terrain you’re in or what lies ahead (e.g. if there’s woodland and what kind it is).
-     
- 
 - where areas of open access or pathways are. - where areas of open access or pathways are.
-    +- the distance to your destination.\\  The scale on a map gives the ratio of the distance between two points on the map and the real distance between the same two points on the ground. Scales vary but many maps are drawn at 1:10,000 - i.e. 1 of any unit of measurement on the map corresponds to 10,000 of that same unit on the ground.
  
-- the distance to your destination. The scale on a map gives the ratio of the distance between two points on the map and the real distance between the same two points on the ground. Scales vary but many maps are drawn at 1:10,000 - i.e. 1 of any unit of measurement on the map corresponds to 10,000 of that same unit on the ground. 
-     
  
 A [compass](http://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/compass/) indicates direction. It has a magnetized metal needle that rotates to line up with the earth’s magnetic field, with the ends pointing north and south. Markings around the edge of the compass indicate east, west and positions in between. Compasses have one important flaw to be aware of: magnetic north and geographic north are not exactly the same. This discrepancy (known as [declination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_declination)) is greater the closer you are to the North or South Poles, where a few degrees out can put you miles off course. Compass readings therefore have to be adjusted to account for this. A [compass](http://nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/compass/) indicates direction. It has a magnetized metal needle that rotates to line up with the earth’s magnetic field, with the ends pointing north and south. Markings around the edge of the compass indicate east, west and positions in between. Compasses have one important flaw to be aware of: magnetic north and geographic north are not exactly the same. This discrepancy (known as [declination](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_declination)) is greater the closer you are to the North or South Poles, where a few degrees out can put you miles off course. Compass readings therefore have to be adjusted to account for this.
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 </figure> </figure>
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-### Celestial navigation+ 
 + 
 +==== Celestial navigation ====
  
 Celestial navigation works by taking a 'sight' or angular measurement between a celestial body (sun, moon, stars) and the horizon. It can be used in any environment where a flat horizon is visible. The most obvious setting is at sea but it also works in the desert, since the horizon appears flat at a distance. Conversely, it doesn’t work so well in the jungle or mountains but even in these environments you can [make an artificial horizon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b2jgRLH9bs) if you have the right equipment. Celestial navigation works by taking a 'sight' or angular measurement between a celestial body (sun, moon, stars) and the horizon. It can be used in any environment where a flat horizon is visible. The most obvious setting is at sea but it also works in the desert, since the horizon appears flat at a distance. Conversely, it doesn’t work so well in the jungle or mountains but even in these environments you can [make an artificial horizon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b2jgRLH9bs) if you have the right equipment.
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-### Natural navigation+==== Natural navigation ====
  
 Natural navigation is 'the rare art of finding your way using nature', i.e. by observing the sun, moon, stars, weather, plants and animals. It’s surprisingly quick and easy to learn basic natural navigation skills and you can even measure rough angles using your own hand. Amazingly, even though we’re all different, we share proportions. For a typical adult with a normal reach, holding their hand up with fingers outstretched, one finger = approx. 2.5 degrees, while a fist = approx. 10 degrees. For greater accuracy you can 'calibrate' your hand or a piece of equipment such as a kayak paddle, against a sextant in advance and record the exact measurements. Nature can give us lots of clues about our position and the direction we are facing (see 'what can I do?'). Natural navigation is 'the rare art of finding your way using nature', i.e. by observing the sun, moon, stars, weather, plants and animals. It’s surprisingly quick and easy to learn basic natural navigation skills and you can even measure rough angles using your own hand. Amazingly, even though we’re all different, we share proportions. For a typical adult with a normal reach, holding their hand up with fingers outstretched, one finger = approx. 2.5 degrees, while a fist = approx. 10 degrees. For greater accuracy you can 'calibrate' your hand or a piece of equipment such as a kayak paddle, against a sextant in advance and record the exact measurements. Nature can give us lots of clues about our position and the direction we are facing (see 'what can I do?').
  
-### A bit of history+==== A bit of history ====
  
 Sailors have been extrapolating their position by observing the stars for thousands of years. The principles date back to the ancient Greeks who were the first to measure the radius of the earth and who developed spherical trigonometry. Over the centuries, ever more accurate instruments were invented to measure the angle of celestial bodies above the horizon (equal to degrees of latitude). The sextant was the most accurate, and is still used today, in the age of GPS. Sailors have been extrapolating their position by observing the stars for thousands of years. The principles date back to the ancient Greeks who were the first to measure the radius of the earth and who developed spherical trigonometry. Over the centuries, ever more accurate instruments were invented to measure the angle of celestial bodies above the horizon (equal to degrees of latitude). The sextant was the most accurate, and is still used today, in the age of GPS.
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-## What are the benefits of navigation?+===== What are the benefits of navigation? =====
  
 These days the world has been comprehensively mapped by GPS but this is still not 100% reliable and you’re at the mercy of battery power and intermittent signals, especially in remote areas. Good navigation skills on the other hand can literally mean the difference between life and death in certain situations. If you know how to use them, maps and compasses are 100% reliable, particularly useful in reduced visibility (i.e. at the top of a mountain in rapidly descending fog). These days the world has been comprehensively mapped by GPS but this is still not 100% reliable and you’re at the mercy of battery power and intermittent signals, especially in remote areas. Good navigation skills on the other hand can literally mean the difference between life and death in certain situations. If you know how to use them, maps and compasses are 100% reliable, particularly useful in reduced visibility (i.e. at the top of a mountain in rapidly descending fog).
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
-### Map and compass+==== Map and compass ====
  
 Assuming you know where you are on the map, place your compass on the map so that the long edge forms a line running between where you are and where you want to go (you could extend this for large distances using a pencil and straight edge). Next, turn the housing on the edge of the compass until the grid lines are aligned with those on the map, making sure that the orienting arrow on the compass is pointing to north on the map. Turn the housing to make the correction for magnetic variation associated with your map (declination). Stand up, holding the compass close to your body (and away from your phone which will interfere with the reading) and turn around until the compass needle sits within the grid north arrow on the baseplate. Look at the direction of travel arrow and off you go. At this point it helps if you can sight a prominent landmark to walk towards, repeating the process when you get there. Identifying landmarks on the map and sighting them as you move through the terrain lets you know you’re still on the right path. It’s also easier and more enjoyable than walking along with your eyes on your compass the whole time. Assuming you know where you are on the map, place your compass on the map so that the long edge forms a line running between where you are and where you want to go (you could extend this for large distances using a pencil and straight edge). Next, turn the housing on the edge of the compass until the grid lines are aligned with those on the map, making sure that the orienting arrow on the compass is pointing to north on the map. Turn the housing to make the correction for magnetic variation associated with your map (declination). Stand up, holding the compass close to your body (and away from your phone which will interfere with the reading) and turn around until the compass needle sits within the grid north arrow on the baseplate. Look at the direction of travel arrow and off you go. At this point it helps if you can sight a prominent landmark to walk towards, repeating the process when you get there. Identifying landmarks on the map and sighting them as you move through the terrain lets you know you’re still on the right path. It’s also easier and more enjoyable than walking along with your eyes on your compass the whole time.
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 </figure> </figure>
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-### Celestial navigation+==== Celestial navigation ====
  
 Sight a well-known star with your sextant and record the angle above the horizon. As an example, let’s say you see a bright star (say _Sirius_, or _Vega_) at 60° above the horizon. Check the star’s GP in the almanac, perform the sight reduction calculations and, on a globe or map, mark the GP with an X. Then take a pair of dividers, set them to 30° and draw a circle with X at the centre. Since one degree of latitude = 60 nautical miles the circle will have a radius of 30 nautical miles and you will be somewhere along that line. Repeat for another star. The second circle will bisect the first at just two points and you will be at one of those points. Since these are thousands of miles apart, you can probably rule out one of them just by knowing which hemisphere you're in. However, for real accuracy you can sight a third star to get your exact position. Obviously, the world is turning all the time and each star’s GP is changing every second so this needs to be taken into account as you plot your position. Sight a well-known star with your sextant and record the angle above the horizon. As an example, let’s say you see a bright star (say _Sirius_, or _Vega_) at 60° above the horizon. Check the star’s GP in the almanac, perform the sight reduction calculations and, on a globe or map, mark the GP with an X. Then take a pair of dividers, set them to 30° and draw a circle with X at the centre. Since one degree of latitude = 60 nautical miles the circle will have a radius of 30 nautical miles and you will be somewhere along that line. Repeat for another star. The second circle will bisect the first at just two points and you will be at one of those points. Since these are thousands of miles apart, you can probably rule out one of them just by knowing which hemisphere you're in. However, for real accuracy you can sight a third star to get your exact position. Obviously, the world is turning all the time and each star’s GP is changing every second so this needs to be taken into account as you plot your position.
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Natural navigation+==== Natural navigation ====
  
 There are several means of navigating naturally, but [by the stars](http://www.naturalnavigator.com/find-your-way-using/stars) has got to be the most romantic. Without instruments you can’t perform the calculations used in celestial navigation but certain stars are still helpful indicators of direction. For example, the North Star, or Polaris, always sits directly above true north and can be found directly above the two stars forming the outside edge of the Plough (aka _Ursa Major_, Saucepan or Big Dipper). Although the Plough rotates through the night sky, its position relative to the North Star never changes. In the northern hemisphere the North Star can give your approximate latitude, since this equals its height above the horizon and this you can roughly measure with your fist. Other useful constellations are Cassiopeia, found on the opposite side of Polaris from the Plough, and the three stars in Orion’s belt, the first of which always rises one degree east and sets one degree west of true east and west, respectively, anywhere in the world. There are several means of navigating naturally, but [by the stars](http://www.naturalnavigator.com/find-your-way-using/stars) has got to be the most romantic. Without instruments you can’t perform the calculations used in celestial navigation but certain stars are still helpful indicators of direction. For example, the North Star, or Polaris, always sits directly above true north and can be found directly above the two stars forming the outside edge of the Plough (aka _Ursa Major_, Saucepan or Big Dipper). Although the Plough rotates through the night sky, its position relative to the North Star never changes. In the northern hemisphere the North Star can give your approximate latitude, since this equals its height above the horizon and this you can roughly measure with your fist. Other useful constellations are Cassiopeia, found on the opposite side of Polaris from the Plough, and the three stars in Orion’s belt, the first of which always rises one degree east and sets one degree west of true east and west, respectively, anywhere in the world.
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 Natural navigation isn’t about doing without technology; it’s about trying to see if you can work it out from nature first. It’s rarely impossible but bear in mind you are at the mercy of changing weather conditions and environment so take all the usual precautions and kit when heading out into nature. Finally, natural navigation is most fun when you can roam freely, following where nature leads you. However, if you aren’t on open access land, make sure you respect private property, livestock and stick to rights of way. Natural navigation isn’t about doing without technology; it’s about trying to see if you can work it out from nature first. It’s rarely impossible but bear in mind you are at the mercy of changing weather conditions and environment so take all the usual precautions and kit when heading out into nature. Finally, natural navigation is most fun when you can roam freely, following where nature leads you. However, if you aren’t on open access land, make sure you respect private property, livestock and stick to rights of way.
  
-## Further resources+===== Forum ===== 
 + 
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:bushcraft|Bushcraft & Nature]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/bushcraft). 
 + 
 +It is also in the section [[gt:transport|Transport & freight]] (Forum: [Transport & freight](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/transport)). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources =====
  
 - [Using nature for navigation](https://www.campingexpert.co.uk/naturenavigation.html) - [Using nature for navigation](https://www.campingexpert.co.uk/naturenavigation.html)
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-## Related topics+===== Related topics =====
  
 - [[cano:canoes|Canoes & kayaks]] - [[cano:canoes|Canoes & kayaks]]
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 - [[trac:Tracking]] - [[trac:Tracking]]
  
-## Specialist curators of this topic+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
  • navi/navigation.1773689434.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2026/03/16 19:30
  • by Simon Grant