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Compass Basics: Azimuths & Bearings Guide

The document discusses compass basics, including: 1. How a compass works by measuring deviation from magnetic north using a dial and needle. 2. Compass directions are shown as azimuths, which run clockwise from 0-360 degrees, or bearings which combine a hemisphere and degrees toward an east or west longitude. 3. Magnetic declination, where magnetic north and true north differ, must be accounted for using the compass's declination set screw.

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Arturo Tejero
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74 views6 pages

Compass Basics: Azimuths & Bearings Guide

The document discusses compass basics, including: 1. How a compass works by measuring deviation from magnetic north using a dial and needle. 2. Compass directions are shown as azimuths, which run clockwise from 0-360 degrees, or bearings which combine a hemisphere and degrees toward an east or west longitude. 3. Magnetic declination, where magnetic north and true north differ, must be accounted for using the compass's declination set screw.

Uploaded by

Arturo Tejero
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

9/30/13

Compass Basics

ESRM 304

Compass
–  Looking from point to point, deviation from north is
measured
–  May include correction for magnetic declination (polar
north and magnetic north may vary)
–  Mirror allows the user to sight
the target and adjust the dial
simultaneously
–  May need to step away from
ferrous metallic objects to
avoid magnetic effects

1
9/30/13

Compass Scale: Azimuths & Bearings


Compass
directions are
circular

Azimuths are
shown here

Azimuths run
clockwise from
N (0 - 360o)

Compass Scale: Azimuths & Bearings


Compass directions
are circular

Bearings are shown


here

Bearings consist of a
latitudinal
hemisphere (N or S)
followed by 0 - 90o
toward either
longitudinal direction
(E or W)

2
9/30/13

Compass Scale: Azimuths & Bearings


As expected,
can convert
from azimuths
to bearings
and back
again

Bearings
shown in red
with azimuths
in ()

The Compass: Magnetic Declination


Magnetic North
does NOT
coincide w/ True
North

Declinations are
constantly
moving

2013: Seattle /
Kenmore decl.
16o 20’ E
(moving 10.8’ W
each year)
Declinations as of 2000 C.E.

3
9/30/13

Magnetic
Declination
Affects Your
Compass
Reading

Compass Parts Always read compass


here: “Fred”

Screw to set declination: No


Needle Base
further declination corrections
“Red” arrow
needed!
“Shed”

4
9/30/13

A Compass Adjusted for E Declination

Following a given direction …


1. Dial in
given
direction

2. Turn your
body ‘round
until “Red”
(needle) … 4. then
follow
“Fred” …
3. is in the “Shed”
(base arrow)…

5
9/30/13

Determining a direction … (to an


object, landmark, etc.)
1. Point
“Fred” at 2. Turn
object compass
dial until …

3.
“Red” is
4. Read in the
direction to “Shed”
“Fred”

Summary – Compass Basics

•  Compass parts
–  Mirror (cover), base, dial, needle,
declination set screw (some models)
•  Uses
–  Determine a direction to travel
–  Determine direction to known object
–  Triangulating your position from or onto a
scaled map

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