What is a
magnetic compass, and why?
A magnetic compass is a very simple device used for detecting
magnetic fields, containing a little needle which lines up along
the field, indicating which way is ‘magnetic North’. This makes
them incredibly useful, since cartographers, the people who make
maps, need only to ensure that they print them such that the
land is oriented with the top of the map, being magnetic north,
and navigation becomes a cinch. In fact, the magnetic compass is
the core part of any orienteering teams backpack.
The way to use a magnetic compass to find out where on a map you
are is as follows. First you take a reading from three points
that you can identify on the map as well as in the real world.
These can be bends in rivers, hills, buildings that are easily
identifiable, and so on. If you can see them, then you can work
out the bearing from them to you.
The magnetic compass will help you to do this, and once you have
the points identified on the map, all that is required is to
draw three lines, on the correct bearings from these points to
the place at which they converge. That place on the map is where
you are.
Once you have that information, you can then identify the place
you want to go to, again on the map, and work out the bearing
from where you are now to where you want to be. Simply get out
your magnetic compass again, and walk along the correct bearing
until you get to your target. Presto. It’s like budget GPS!
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About The Author:
Guy Lecky-Thompson
is a successful author and publisher at
www.1st-at-camping-gear.com. Recommending
camping equipment, tents, backpacks, GPS, binoculars, sleeping
bags, hiking boots, camping stoves, containers, water purifiers,
compasses, topographical maps, pocket knives & hammocks
12-06-04
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