How to use a Compass
By: A.Aliwa
Earth's Magnetic Field
The Earth's Magnetic Field is caused by the flow of liquid iron in the earth's outer core. The flow of liquid iron creates electric currents that produce magnetic fields. Charged metals passing through the fields create their own electric currents.they create a cycle called the Geodynamo.
The Compass(with compass housing)
*North is the most important direction. In the northern hemisphere, a compass's needle will point north.*
- Place the compass in front of you.
- Most Compasses have a red,spinning arrow-that red part will spin to the side,unless you are heading north,the direction or the nearest pole.
- On the edge of the compass housing,is a scale from 0 to 360,called the azimuth along with the letters "N(North),S(South),E(East),W(West).
- If you are traveling NW(North-West),Find on the compass housing where "NW" is.
- Turn the compass housing so that the "NW" comes to the large arrow pointing ahead meets the housing.
- Hold the compass flat in your hand.Once the compass needle moves, turn yourself and the compass(keep the housing from turning)until the compass's needle is aligned with the one on the compass housing.
- It is important that the red part of the needle is pointing at the north in the housing, if not you could go in the opposite direction.
- You can start to walk towards you destination, look at the compass often to make sure you are going in the right direction.
*If you follow these steps,you will never be lost!*
Map Compass 101
National "Marooned without a Compass Day"
NOVEMBER 6