The impetus for the invention of an accurate and convenient chronometer was the needs of sailors who needed to know either the exact time, or see the stars or the sun to determine the coordinates of the ship, and the latter is not always possible in rough seas. A certain time of day depends on the position of the Earth relative to the Sun at the moment, and it is determined by the compass, therefore the clock and compass are interchangeable devices. With the help of a compass, you can find out the time of day quite accurately.
It is necessary
compass
Instructions
Step 1
Determine the time of day using a compass: orient the device so that the North arrow points to 360 degrees and South points to 180 degrees. Mentally draw a line from the center of the compass to the Sun (the angle between this line and the North arrow is called azimuth). Divide the resulting azimuth by 15 and you get the exact time of day.
Step 2
Determine the approximate time of day at night by observing the moon. If you see a thin crescent moon in the sky (it forms the letter "p" if you draw a dash to the left), then it is the first half of the night, until the middle. If you observe the waning moon (the "horns" of the letter "p" do not look to the left, but to the right), then the middle of the night has already come and its second half is coming.
Step 3
Get the exact time of day using a compass and moon observations. Turn the compass so that the letter "C" on the disk is oriented to the Moon, note the angle between this direction and the end of the arrow labeled "North", divide it by 15. Determine how many lobes of the Moon you observe, provided that the lunar disk is divisible by 12 stakes. If the moon is growing or full, add the number of shares to the previously received figure (if the total is more than 24, subtract 24); if the moon is waning, subtract; the resulting figure will be the required time of day.
Step 4
Determine the approximate time of day for night and early morning bird watching. Different types of birds perform their first morning songs at different but specific times. For example, a sparrow can be heard from 6 to 7 in the morning, a tit - from 5 to 6, a thrush - from 4 to 4.30, a robin - from 3 to 4.
Step 5
Determine the approximate time of day by observing the colors. Flowers, well-known and widespread in our meadows, can tell the time for the traveler: if coltsfoot, field marigolds and carnations have not yet opened, then it is not yet 10 o'clock in the morning; dandelion "wakes up" at 6-7 o'clock, chicory - at 5-6; the night violet opens around 9 - 10 pm.
