
www.pickatrail.com

Nature & Science News

UK climate unit's e-mails hacked - The e-mail system of one of the world's leading climate research units has been breached by hackers.

Mammoth dung clue to extinction - A study of mammoth dung is helping unravel the mystery of what caused the great mammals to die out.

New skin 'may help burns victims' - French researchers say they have found a way of using human embryonic stem cells to create new skin which could help serious burns victims.

First test for record solar plane - The prototype of a solar-powered plane destined for a record round-the-world journey makes its first trip across a runway.

Spacewalk for shuttle astronauts - Two astronauts from the space shuttle Atlantis have embarked on the first spacewalk of their mission.

Skate may be fished to extinction - A species of skate could become the first marine fish driven to extinction by commercial fishing, say scientists.

Share|

How to Use a Compass

In poor visibility or on a featureless ground you need a compass. Are you familiar with your compass and do you understand how to use it? Here we explain just one way to use your compass with a map.

Take a look at your Azimuth compass. This compass should have degrees (0 to 360) marked around the dial. Quadrant and military compasses are useful, but this article is about using azimuth compasses, which are best suited for outdoor activities.

There are a few features on your compass that you should become familiar with, and they are as follows: (A) The arrow, (B) The dial, (C) The orienting lines, (D) The red magnetic needle, (E) The baseplate edge, (F) Position Landmark, (G) Destination Landmark, and (H) The magnifying glass.

Step 1: Open map and find your current position, and desired destination.

Step 2: Place your compass baseplate edge on the map so it connects the distance between your Position Landmark and Destination Landmark.

Step 3: Turn the dial so that the orienting lines on the transparent bottom are parallel with the North - South grid lines on the map.

Step 4: Turn your compass together with the map until the red needle points to 'N' (North).

Step 5: Hike to your destination - it is located in the direction that the compass arrow is pointing.

If you're hiking great distances and need to arrive at a specific location then you will need to consider compass declination.

Index:
Placenames Around the World / U.S.A. / Britain