How to determine the azimuth on a contour map. How to determine the azimuth on the map

27.09.2019

Determination of the azimuth helps in orienteering in the terrain, allows you to maintain direction and not go astray when traveling through the plains, taiga and other places where there are no landmarks. Suitable for driving in the dark, in bad weather conditions, when the visibility is very low.

How to find a bearing with a map in theory

You can determine the azimuth using a topographic map (calculate the true meridian) or a compass (find the magnetic meridian). When combined, these meridians form an angle called magnetic declination. To find the true azimuth, you must first calculate the magnetic using a compass and add the east magnetic declination to the resulting value, or subtract the west declination. It is determined with the help of a reference book, read on the card, if it is indicated.

Calculating the bearing on the map helps to determine the direction not only for travelers on the ground. This method is used to calculate the route for aircraft and ships. Establish a trajectory for ground transport in the steppes, deserts, savannas, where there are no direction signs and other landmarks.

Determining the azimuth on the map is not difficult, this is the angle between the meridian and the direction to the place of arrival. On the map, trying to be as accurate as possible, mark the point of their location. It will be the starting coordinate for building the route.

Determination of the azimuth allows you to create the most suitable route for the features of each terrain. If there are no natural, artificial obstacles on the path of the intended movement, then the movement is straightforward. In the event of obstacles, the route is corrected as necessary, and the movement follows a broken path.

Creating a route using azimuth and map

To compose a route in azimuth and determine the trajectory of movement, you must have:

large-scale topographic map;
ruler;
pencil;
protractor, it is preferable to choose a transparent one.

To determine the azimuth on the map, the points of the present location and the final destination are indicated. A ruler is applied to the card. A connecting line is drawn between the points with a pencil, crossing it the meridians closest to the points. The base of the protractor is applied to the meridian, its arc should be directed towards the landmark ( end point). The center line must be aligned with the drawn line. You can determine the azimuth at the intersection of the drawn line and the arc of the protractor by taking readings in degrees.

When determining the route, they take into account the obstacles encountered that must be skirted (deep ravines, swamps, lakes, various buildings). Turning points are marked on the map along the entire length of the route and connected. Points are placed near natural, artificial landmarks in order to better control the continuity of the route. For each segment it is necessary to find the azimuth using the method described above. If the transition is carried out at night, then the reference points on the map are put down more often.

How to determine the magnetic azimuth

Magnetic bearing is the angle between the end (defined) point of the route and the heading north. Determining the azimuth by compass is carried out like this:

Stand strictly in the direction of the point of movement (object).
The compass is placed on a flat surface not higher than chest level, or held in front of you on an outstretched palm.
Orient the compass, align the dark end of the magnetic needle with the letter C.
A thin stick (match) is placed on the center of the compass. Its end is directed towards the designated point. The stick is turned clockwise, without allowing it to move from the center.
Under the stick, on the limb, they look at the digital value.

You can determine the azimuth within the entire circle, its value sometimes reaches 360 degrees. The azimuth with this angle is considered to be zero.

Additionally, you can find azimuth using map and compass:

The compass is placed on the side edge of the map.
The card is turned until the top edge coincides with "C", and the side edge of the card coincides with the direction of the dark end of the magnetic arrow.
Two points are marked on the map - the starting point and the ending point, connected with a line.
The compass is moved until its center is aligned with the starting point.
The drawn line will match the numerical value of the compass.

This method allows you to find the direct magnetic bearing. For better orientation on the terrain, drawing up a route for the return, a return azimuth calculation is made. To do this, 180 degrees are subtracted or added from the obtained straight line if the found angle is greater or less than the unfolded angle, respectively.

In a similar way, the azimuth is determined using a compass without a map, but in this case, you need to represent conditional points and images in your mind, looking at the surroundings from a higher point.

Obstacle azimuth movement

When the azimuth route has impassable obstacles , then you should adhere to the following rules:

On opposite side obstacles to choose the most memorable landmark that passes in the direction of travel.
Determine the azimuth to go around.
If on back side there is no suitable landmark, it is necessary to outline it on the spot. To do this, a notch is made on the trunk of a tree, a large stick is stuck into the ground.
Go around the obstacle, find the intended landmark. From it, continue to move in azimuth, having previously checked the direction.

At zero visibility, the obstacle is bypassed using a compass, if a route has not been drawn up on the map before. Before a difficult-to-pass area, it is necessary to determine the azimuth to bypass it. Mentally mark the point from which the movement will begin. It is important to maintain linearity as you move along and count the number of pairs of steps.

Having reached the end of the obstacle, you need to turn and determine the azimuth using the compass. They continue to move further, count pairs of steps, maintain linearity. Having completely rounded the obstacle, they return to the original trajectory of movement - they calculate the reverse azimuth, observe the number of pairs of steps from the beginning of the bypass to the turning point. After returning to the route, continue the journey in the direction planned to the obstacle.

How to find the azimuth of the sun

There are situations when orientation on the terrain is necessary and apart from wrist watches there are no available means. In this case, you need to know how determine the azimuth of the sun using the dial:

They put a watch on a flat surface, hour hand aiming at the sun.
A line is drawn from the center of the dial through "1", the resulting angle is halved.
The bisector drawn indicates the north-south direction. North is to the left of the sun before noon, right is in the afternoon. Therefore, before 12 o'clock, the azimuth is calculated by counting the values counterclockwise, after 12 they are counted clockwise.
The route is made by analogy with a compass.

This allows you to determine the direction of movement with small errors. The azimuth of the sun is measured in degrees from the south to the point on the horizon where the star is located at different times - before noon in the east, after in the west.

You must first understand what azimuth is. Read the definition below:

As you can see, it is very easy to find the azimuth on the map. Determine the north direction, and then measure the angle clockwise from North to the subject, as shown in the figure:

First you need to learn how to use the map. We were taught in school that the top edge of the map is north, the bottom edge is south, east is on the right, and west is on the left. And at the same time, they taught how to navigate the terrain: you need to face the sunrise, then the south will be on the right, and north on the left. Well, from the back - west. But if you need to determine the azimuth on the map, that is, the angle between the point that we need and the meridian at which we are, then you need a compass or protractor. We install the compass at the point of our stay, its arrow points to the north, we determine the angle by degrees on the coil. Or draw a line between the points: your location - object - nearest meridian. The protractor must be attached to this meridian and the angle must be determined by degrees.

In order to navigate the terrain using a compass, you will need to determine the azimuth on the map. This is important for both marine and aircraft, who make long voyages and flights, and for hikers who need to find their way in conditions of insufficient visibility, for example, at night, when it is impossible to move along the landmark.

In order to determine the azimuth, you need to take

travel map
compass
protractor
pencil
ruler

Azimuth is the angle between the meridian of your location and the direction to the object. It is defined in degrees from zero to three hundred and sixty and is counted clockwise.

In order to determine the azimuth, namely the direction to the object and also, probably, the direction of your movement, you need to know your current location. Mark it on your map, guided by the data indicated on the map.

Now you need to find a reference point in the direction of which you need to move. Usually, straight-line movement in azimuth is possible only by air, as well as in the open sea. But on land this is possible only in the desert or in the open steppe. Therefore, in the main, movement on land occurs along a broken line, while bending around natural natural obstacles. For this reason, the azimuth in the direction of travel will need to be periodically adjusted.

To determine the azimuth, take a protractor, preferably transparent, as well as a pencil and a ruler. The ruler should be placed on the map in such a way that the point at which you are located and the reference point are on the same line along the ruler, and then draw a line with a pencil until it intersects with the next meridian. Now you should attach the protractor with its base to the meridian line. Now bring the central risk to its intersection with the line you have already drawn in the direction to the desired landmark. On the arc of the protractor, in the same place where it intersects with the same line, take the reading (in degrees). This is the desired azimuth.

If you do not have a protractor, you can also use a compass using its graduated rose.

But this is not yet the whole story. For example, as a result of calculating your direction to an object (azimuth), you got 30 degrees. This is the true bearing, which is usually different from the magnetic bearing. Therefore, if you orient your compass at 30 degrees, you will be moving in the wrong direction. Therefore, you need to find on the map the closest to the point of your location a remark with the value of the magnetic declination, which is expressed in degrees and can be either minus or plus values. Now enter the amendment, and boldly move, now guided by the compass.

Attach a compass to the map, where there is a north and south arrow, and see what azimuth points to the object that you want to know!

We are required to:

compass;
map;
understanding where we need to go (direction of travel);
memory to remember the following information.

We take our compass, put it on the map. We twist the compass so that in the end the arrow lies along the Serer - South line. By the way, the magnetic meridian runs along this line. Now the last step: we determine the angle between the line of the magnetic meridian and the direction of our movement (we count from the north, and always clockwise!).

It is easy to determine the azimuth on the map, it is much more difficult to follow it in reality! There is even a saying: I am walking along the Azimuth, i.e. on a bad road next to a good one ;.

Azimuth called the angle between the direction to any point and the direction to another point, the object from the observer's place.

Azimuth is magnetic and geographic.

The easiest way is to determine the azimuth as compass, the second way is to use protractor and maps.

Put the compass at the point where you are now and see the direction in degrees to the object where you want to go. For a more accurate determination, it is better to use a tourist compass (transparent) with a ruler to determine the distances. You can draw a line on the map from the point of your location to the point where you want to go - then the azimuth will be more accurate. On some maps there is an arrow for orienting the map in the north-south direction. If the arrow is not indicated, then the top edge of the map is always north, the bottom is south.

Once I knew how to use a compass, and I even had one, you know, one with a wristwatch strap and placed on the wrist, and it also had a phosphoric hand. A very wonderful thing, but to determine the azimuth, you definitely need a transparent compass with a bulb (preferably Board - that is, it is of such a rectangular shape as a board).

We also need a topographic map, and it is better if it is on a large scale. So it is easier for subsequent work and getting the skill of using and applying, since it will be somewhat more difficult to understand on the world map.

Now, stopping in the terrain, and spreading the map on a flat surface, we apply the compass to the map. To do this, we draw a line from the point where we are at the moment to the point to which we plan to move, and where we want to be after a while. Now that we have drawn the line, we can use a pencil, or we can mentally, but now we apply the compass with a ruler. Any compass designed to determine the azimuth has a ruler with a red stripe, and we combine this strip with the line of movement. Now we fix the position of the compass with our fingers, holding it securely in one position, pressing it a little. Next, now we need to orient the compass bulb in relation to the north and south of the map. For this, lines are drawn on the map. These lines run from the bottom of the map, from the south, to the top of the map, to the north. Considering that the compass bulb is transparent, and there are lines and degrees on the flask, we, turning the bulb, align the north poles of the map and the compass bulb (we align the lines).

Now, when the compass is oriented along the course of movement, as well as along the poles of the map, it is necessary to align ourselves, along with the map and compass, relative to the poles. That is, turning in space, we make it so that the magnetic needle of the compass becomes its tip to the north.

And now we can determine the azimuth, which is plotted clockwise from the red mark on the compass. In other words, the azimuth corresponds to the degree division of the rose around the horizon, which is three hundred and sixty degrees. And now it is enough for us to look carefully at the numbers, and the one that will seem to be in the center of the forward direction, and will be the desired azimuth value in our given position, achieved as a result of correct orientation in space and on the ground. In the attached video example, this figure is in the region of two hundred and twenty-nine.

Azimuth is one of the main concepts in orienteering. Without knowing what an azimuth is and how to handle it, a person will not be able to fully use the information provided by the map and choose the correct direction of movement in the absence of landmarks. Accordingly, to be able to determine the azimuth using a compass, and at best, even without it, is a necessary skill for a person who, with one frequency or another, is in a deserted area.

Azimuth allows you to correctly orient the map and choose the direction of travel and determine your own location.

Azimuth and its types

Azimuth is the angle measured from north direction... This angle is measured always clockwise.

Azimuth is mainly used to:

search for the direction of movement on the map and on the ground;
determine the direction to a landmark in order to plot it on a map, or vice versa - to find it on the ground;
determine your location by two landmarks.

Azimuth is of two types - true and magnetic. The difference between the first and the second is that the true azimuth is determined relative to the direction to the geographical north, and the magnetic - relative to the direction to magnetic north, that is, the north indicated by the arrow of the magnetic compass. It is with the second type that one has to deal with if a magnetic compass is used in work.

In most cases, the magnetic azimuth is different from the true one, since the direction to the magnetic pole usually does not coincide with the direction to the geographic pole.

Let me remind you that the directions to the geographic and magnetic north most often do not coincide.

In order to deduce magnetic from the true azimuth, you need to know the magnitude of the magnetic declination. It is this that shows the difference between these two values.

In addition, you need to look at what declension you have to deal with - with the eastern or western. If the declination is east, this means that the northern part of the magnetic compass needle will deviate to the right with respect to the true north, if the declination is west, then to the left, that is, point to northeast or northwest, respectively.

So how do you translate the true azimuth to magnetic? It's simple ... If the magnetic declination is western, then you need to add the declination value to the true azimuth, if it's eastern, subtract it.

In addition to the true and magnetic azimuth, there is such a thing as a directional angle. This angle is analogous to the azimuth, but measured not from the true or magnetic meridian, but from the north direction of the kilometer grid.

In order, knowing the directional angle, to find out the true azimuth, you need to know the magnitude of the convergence of the meridians.

The convergence of the meridians is the angle between the true meridian and the north direction of the kilometer grid line.

If the kilometer grid is inclined to the left of the direction of the true meridian, then the angle is considered negative, if to the right, then positive.

Thus, to convert the directional angle to the true azimuth, the value of the approach of the meridians is subtracted from the obtained value of the directional angle. If the convergence of the meridians is negative, then minus by minus gives a plus, which means that the resulting value increases by the amount of convergence of the meridians.

Magnetic declination and directional angle were previously indicated on topographic maps in the lower part of the frame. Recently, unfortunately, more and more often it is necessary to see maps without any hints of such data. And if the convergence of the meridians can be measured on the map yourself, but with the magnetic declination, everything is a little more complicated.

If the magnetic declination is not listed on the map, you can search the Internet for locale-specific values. It is not always good to use very old magnetic declination values, as its value changes over time.

How to determine the azimuth on the map

Let's consider how to find the true and magnetic azimuths on the map. There are three options here.

Option number 1. Using a protractor.

For this:

A standard card is taken.
A point is selected on the map from which the azimuth will be plotted.
A barely noticeable vertical line is drawn through this point with a simple pencil.
The second point is selected, in relation to which the azimuth will be measured.
From the first point to the second, a second, barely noticeable line is drawn with a simple pencil.
Using a protractor, clockwise measure the angle between the two lines. The result is true bearing.
If necessary, the true azimuth is converted to magnetic.

In orienteering, a protractor is a necessary thing, and therefore it is sometimes useful to make it even from scrap materials.

This option is good when you don't have a compass at hand. If you have a compass, you can use one of the following methods.

Option number 2. Using a magnetic tablet compass.

For this method, you will need a compass with a transparent flask, on which lines parallel to each other are drawn, located in the north-south direction. The algorithm is as follows:

The card is placed on a flat surface.
The point from which the azimuth will be plotted is marked.
The second point is chosen, to which you need to come, leaving the first, or just the necessary direction of movement.
The compass is applied with a side frame to the first and second points, or simply located along the line of the intended movement. It is important that the lower part of the compass is located closer to the first point, otherwise the reverse azimuth will be measured, which we will talk about a little later.
The compass bulb rotates until the lines drawn on it are parallel to one of the vertical lines of the kilometer grid. In this case, the northern part of the compass flask should be directed towards the northern end of the kilometer line.
After everything is done, the compass pointer will show the directional angle. For convenience of further use, this value can be converted into true or magnetic azimuth.

Partly due to the simplicity of this method, it is the tablet compass that is recommended for tourists.

This option is convenient for use in almost any situation, since it is independent of the readings of the magnetic compass needle, which is affected by magnetic deviations, which will be discussed a little later. However, it can only be used in cases where there is data on magnetic declination. If there is no such data, you can use the following method.

Option number 3. With a magnetic tablet compass and an oriented map.

Before describing this method, it is worth explaining what the phrase "oriented map" means.

To orient the map means to place it on a horizontal surface so that its northern frame points strictly to the geographical north. This can be done using a compass if the magnetic declination is known. However, we will consider the option when there is no such data.

In this case, you can orient the map to the cardinal points using a landmark indicated on the map and visible on the ground, provided that it is known where in this moment there is a person orienting the map.

Let's consider step by step the whole process of orienting the map:

The map is positioned horizontally.
A ruler is placed on the map in such a way that one side of it "touches" the landmark indicated on the map and the point at which the person is located, for example, by the crossroads.
The map is positioned at eye level so that the person's standing point on the map is closer to the eye, and the landmark is farther away.
A person with a map and a ruler lying on it turns so that the ruler is directed to a landmark visible on the ground - the landmark to which the ruler was attached. At this moment, we can say that the map is oriented to the cardinal points.

Now let's go directly to the description of the azimuth determination algorithm:

The map is oriented to the cardinal points and is located strictly in the horizontal plane so that the compass needle can subsequently rotate freely inside the bulb.
A magnetic tablet compass is applied to the map so that its side frame is in contact with the person's standing point and the reference point to which you want to find the azimuth. Here the rules are the same as in the previous version: the lower part of the compass should be closer to the person's standing point.
The compass bulb rotates until the north end of the arrow points to the north symbol on the bulb, that is, 0 ° or 360 °, which are essentially the same thing.
From now on, the compass pointer will show the magnetic bearing, which, if necessary, can be converted to true.

The main disadvantage of this method is its dependence on magnetic deviations and motion. So, for example, it will not be possible to use this method in a car or on a sea ship.

Reverse azimuth

For the convenience of movement on the terrain during orientation, the concept of a reverse azimuth is often used. This direction is diametrically opposite to the "straight" azimuth, that is, it differs from it by 180 degrees.

The reverse azimuth, if necessary, allows you to return to the place from which the movement was started, and can also be used when avoiding obstacles.

Let's imagine that a person is moving strictly to the north. In order for him to move in a reverse azimuth, he must turn 180 degrees. And it makes no difference whether he makes a clockwise or counterclockwise turn: the direction of the reverse azimuth, for obvious reasons, will remain the same. That is, specifically for the case under consideration, the reverse azimuth will be the direction of movement strictly to the south.

How to determine the azimuth on the ground

On the ground, using a compass, you can determine the azimuth to the selected direction or object (landmark), or vice versa - using the known azimuth, for example, found on the map, to determine the direction on the ground. Let's consider both options.

Problem number 1. It is necessary to determine the magnetic azimuth to the object (landmark).

In this case, the compass is positioned in the direction of the reference point. In order to more accurately set the compass in relation to the landmark, some models have a front sight and rear sight, as well as a mirror with a slot.

The compass bulb then rotates until the north end of the arrow points to the north symbol on the bulb (usually "N" or "C"). The compass pointer will show the bearing to the selected object.

Problem number 2. It is necessary, knowing the magnetic azimuth, to determine the direction on the ground.

For this, the compass bulb is rotated until the pointer points on the bulb scale with a figure corresponding to the value of the magnetic azimuth. The compass is then rotated horizontally until the north side of the arrow matches the north symbol on the bulb. Once this has happened, it can be argued that the compass indicates the desired direction, that is, it is located along it.

If you need to determine the reverse azimuth with the help of a compass, then it is not necessary to do arithmetic, subtracting or adding 180 degrees to the known azimuth. It is much more convenient and easier to simply choose the direction of movement by turning the compass so that the north side of the arrow is on its south side.

Emergency azimuth

An emergency azimuth is a direction to any linear (for example, a track or railway) or areal (for example, locality) a landmark measured in order to reach this landmark in case a person gets lost.

The emergency azimuth cannot be measured against a point reference point (for example, a well or a forester's house), since it is unlikely that it will be possible to reach such a reference point, if necessary, due to its small size.

The emergency azimuth is determined before entering the route, for example, before entering the forest. To do this, a person faces the landmark and measures the azimuth to it with the help of a compass, after which he writes down the resulting value, for example, on a sheet of paper, which he hides in his clothing pocket.

But don't rely entirely on the note. For reassurance, it is also better to remember the obtained values.

After the emergency bearing has been determined, recorded and stored in memory, you can go on the route.

On a note

When determining the emergency azimuth, it should be remembered that a line object can bend and change direction - the river can bend, the road can bend, the power line also has its own corners. There is a risk that by taking an emergency azimuth before entering the route, a person will move significantly relative to such a turn, and if necessary, go to the track or to the river, then he will walk in azimuth parallel to the most linear object behind its turn. Therefore, before entering the route, you need to study the map of the area, the direction of linear landmarks and scales. If a road or river stretches in approximately one direction for tens of kilometers, and the route is planned for only 2-3 kilometers, this information is not essential. If we are talking about a hiking group on a route of several hundred kilometers, the terrain and landmarks must first be studied very carefully.

If for any reason a person gets lost, and the use of various methods did not help him to get back on the previous route, then he can use the emergency azimuth, moving along which, sooner or later, he will be near the landmark to which the emergency azimuth was taken. And already moving along this landmark, a person will be able to get to the place from which he began his journey.

Creation of a route of movement in azimuth

Having a map of the area available, it is often possible to do without using azimuths when planning a route, for example, if paths, roads and clearings are visible on the map. In this case, usually the movement towards the goal is carried out along them.

However, there are situations when you cannot do without azimuths, for example, when crossing a desert or wild woodland. Let's consider the algorithm of actions in such situations.

In order to reach the set goal as quickly and accurately as possible, it is highly desirable to build a route on the map. It is important to understand that moving straight ahead can lead to a big mistake, which means that a person can simply miss the target, especially if you have to navigate in an area with reduced visibility, for example, in a forest.

In order to reduce the specified error, it is better to divide the entire path into shorter segments connecting landmarks that lie on the way to the goal. Thus, approaching each landmark, a person will correct his movement, eliminating the error that occurs when moving from one landmark to another.

A path with transitions between many landmarks will be slightly longer, since the broken line connecting two extreme points is always longer than a straight line. However, the error will also be significantly reduced, which is very important in some situations.

To plan a "broken" route:

There is a route exit point on the map.
A landmark lying in the direction of travel is located.
From the first point, the azimuth and distance to the middle of the found landmark are measured.
The azimuth and length of the path are indicated near this landmark.
Now the whole procedure is repeated, but the edge of the found landmark is taken as the starting point, from where the movement will be made to the middle of the next landmark.
At the end of the last landmark on the way, the azimuth and distance to the target are measured and also signed.

If desired, the measured distance can be converted into pairs of steps and write numbers next to each landmark. But this only makes sense if the person knows the length of his pair of steps.

Walking in azimuth

Some people believe that you need to walk in azimuth by constantly holding the compass in front of you and constantly monitoring its readings. However, this method of walking, contrary to expectations, will give a big error and take more time compared to the method about which there will be a speech farther.

To reduce the error, the following sequence of actions should be used:

With the help of a compass, a landmark is located on the terrain at a given azimuth (for example, a tree, a bush, some relief feature or a structure). The further this landmark is located, the fewer actions will have to be performed, and the more accurate the result will be.
The person walks towards the chosen landmark. In this case, it does not matter how exactly he will approach the landmark, the main thing is not to lose the chosen landmark and not confuse it with others. This is convenient, because sometimes there are insurmountable obstacles (for example, thorny thickets or windbreaks) along a straight road to the landmark, so it is easier and faster to get around them than trying to move in a straight ahead.
Having approached the landmark, the person should stand behind him and repeat the operation with the compass, choosing a new landmark.

Sometimes, in the absence of natural landmarks, one of the participants in the hike can act as a guide. To do this, he goes in the direction in the direction of which the person working with the compass points. When the "living landmark" has moved a sufficient distance, the person with the compass gestures to the assistant where exactly he must stand in order to be exactly on the line of direction determined by the azimuth. Then everything is done as if you had to work with local landmarks.

If on the way to the chosen landmark there is an obstacle, for example, a steep hill, because of which it is impossible to see the next landmark and which cannot be climbed, then you can use one of two schemes.

Scheme No. 1. Simplified.

This is the simplest algorithm of actions that allows you to return to the previous path, bypassing the obstacle. For this:

At some distance from the obstacle, the direction of its bypass is selected and the azimuth of this direction is measured. Suppose the azimuth is 60 degrees.
The difference between the azimuth of the main direction of movement (suppose that the movement was carried out at an azimuth of 105 degrees) and the azimuth of the selected direction is determined. It turns out that the obstacle is bypassed on the left, and the difference in the initial direction and the direction of the bypass is 105 - 60 = 45 degrees.
The person begins to move in an azimuth of 45 degrees, counting steps, and moves until he sees the end of the obstacle on the right.
The azimuth of the return direction is calculated. For this, the previously calculated difference is added to the azimuth of the main direction, that is, 105 + 45 = 150 degrees.
The person starts walking in a new direction with an azimuth of 150 degrees and counts the steps.
When this number of steps coincides with the number of steps taken during the offset from the main track, movement continues in the azimuth of the main direction (for this case- 105 degrees).

In this scheme, a variant is also possible when, having shifted to the side, a person does not immediately return to the previous path, but travels a certain distance along the main azimuth before that. This may be necessary in cases where the obstacle is stretched along the main direction.

Scheme number 2. To keep track of the distance traveled.

This is a more complex scheme that allows you to avoid obstacles with a count total steps. Thus, the number of steps counted after going around the obstacle will be equal to the number of steps, as if there were no obstacle at all, and the person moved directly.

For this circuit:

At some distance from the obstacle, the azimuth of the bypass direction is measured. Suppose it will be the same as in the previous scheme, that is, equal to 60 degrees.
The person moves in this direction and counts the steps.
After the obstacle "ends" on the right side, the person begins to move in the original direction (albeit, as in the previous case, it will be 105 degrees) and counts the steps. The steps counted when moving in the main direction (105 degrees) are added to those counted before the start of the obstacle avoidance.
After a while, the person chooses a new direction - the opposite azimuth to the direction in which the obstacle was bypassed. For this case: 60 + 180 = 240 degrees.
The person moves in a new direction (240 degrees) and counts the steps. In this direction, the person must move until the number of steps counted coincides with the number of steps taken in the direction with an azimuth of 60 degrees.
As soon as the required number of steps has been passed, the person finds the direction of the initial movement (105 degrees) and continues to move along it, adding steps to those that were taken in this direction earlier.

In this way, various obstacles can be avoided. However, in some cases, difficulties may arise, mainly associated with the peculiarities of the terrain.

For example, it may happen that at the beginning the obstacle avoidance will be performed on terrain with a large number of ups and downs, and then on flat terrain. In this case, with the same number of steps, when leaving the main direction of movement and returning to it, a person will travel a different distance, which means he will shift away from the original path.

Errors and their causes

The main errors that occur when orienting with a compass are mainly related to three factors - magnetic declination, magnetic deviations and compass malfunction.

An error associated with magnetic declination appears mainly if the magnetic declination is not indicated on the map, or the person does not know how to correct it. There are also areas of the so-called magnetic anomalies, where the magnetic declination can fluctuate over a fairly wide range, which complicates the task of orientation.

In some situations, when you have to cover long distances exclusively in azimuths, it makes sense to independently calculate the magnetic declination using a map and a magnetic compass.

Magnetic deviation is the deviation of the magnetic needle from the direction of the earth's magnetic lines. Such magnetic deviations occur near various objects with magnetic properties, or due to the flow of nearby electric current.

For example, magnetic deviations can have a noticeable effect on compass readings, leading to errors, near railway tracks, inside or near transport, and also if the compass is near objects such as a walkie-talkie, mobile phone, knife, saw or other compass.

Compass malfunction is another cause of errors, and not as rare as we would like.

To check the compass for serviceability, you need to bring a magnet to it from the side - the arrow will deviate to the side. After the magnet is removed, the arrow should return to its original position. After that, you should bring the magnet from the other side - the arrow should deviate in the other direction. Removing the magnet should return the arrow to its original position. If the arrow has not returned to its original position, then the compass can be considered faulty.

Instead of an ordinary magnet in the field, it is quite possible to do with a knife or mobile phone because they are more or less magnetic enough to test a compass.

All these nuances must be taken into account in order to get the most correct compass readings, because it also depends on whether a person will reach a given point or miss it.

What compass to take on a hike

Today, a wide variety of compasses are known. For tourists and other amateurs active rest v wildlife the most suitable are magnetic compasses and compass simulators for phones. The former show the direction of the Earth's magnetic lines, and the work of the latter is based on determining coordinates using satellite navigation systems.

Compass programs for phones do not react to magnetic deviations and the magnetic declination does not matter for them - they always show the direction to the geographical (true) north and south. These programs may have a number of features that make them faster, more efficient and more comfortable to use than magnetic compasses. But these programs also have their drawbacks:

the phone may be discharged, which means that you will not be able to use the program installed on the phone;
the program may "glitch", and due to the lack of the Internet, it may not be possible to download it again and reinstall it;
underground (for example, in caves), these programs will also not work, since the signal from satellites will not be able to get underground.

Unlike programs for phones, ordinary magnetic compasses are more suitable for most situations in which a tourist or a person who has survived an emergency situation far from civilization may find themselves, because:

able to work for years and do not require recharging;
they work even underground, since they are independent of satellites;
can be made from improvised means.

All this makes them reliable companions not only for tourists, but also for military personnel.

But even among ordinary magnetic compasses, there are many models that differ not only appearance and size, but also structure. Which compass to choose from all this variety?

From all the variety of magnetic compasses, I could recommend flatbed liquid models with a transparent bulb, rear sight, front sight, mirror and tilt measurement function. It is desirable that the key symbols on such a compass be painted with glow-in-the-dark paint. These compasses have a number of advantages over other models:

tablet models are more convenient to use when working with a map;
in liquid models, in comparison with the same Adrianov's compass, the needle stabilizes faster, which means that work with it is faster;
the presence of a rear sight, front sight and a mirror makes it possible to make measurements more accurately;
the mirror can be used for its intended purpose, for example, in order to independently remove a foreign body from the eye, and also as a signal mirror for giving signals to a passing aircraft or passing ship;
the function of determining the angle of inclination can help in a number of tasks, for example, approximately determine the latitude of the area in which a person is located;
Glow-in-the-dark designations make it possible to navigate in the dark, if for any reason it is not possible to use the flashlight.

Many compass models with luminous elements contain a special paint, which initially absorbs light from extraneous sources (for example, sunlight or flashlight light), and then itself emits light in the visible spectrum. The light from such models is at first clearly visible, but after a while it dims and can only be recognized by eyes accustomed to darkness. So, elements painted with a composition containing strontium aluminate lose about 90% of their brightness already in the first 60 minutes.

In others, as a rule, more expensive models compasses, cameras with tritium coated with a phosphor are used as luminous elements. Tritium, decaying, excites the phosphor atoms, which, passing from an excited state to an ordinary one, emit light. Such compasses glow in complete darkness without "recharging" from extraneous light sources, and completely "fizzle out" after more than a dozen years, although, of course, during their service, their brightness gradually decreases. It is also important to note here that, despite the fears of people, such compasses are safe for health.

Tritium backlit compass - easy to read, even in the dark.

In this case, it is not necessary to buy an expensive compass. In most cases, an inexpensive, serviceable compass that meets some or all of the above criteria is sufficient.

Summing up all of the above, it is not hard to notice that the ability to determine the azimuth on the map and on the ground, as well as the ability to correctly move along it, is one of the basic skills required for orientation. It also becomes clear that without a working compass, such a skill will be of little use.

Therefore, in order to confidently navigate and reduce to a minimum the risk of getting lost in unfamiliar terrain, one should adhere to two recommendations: more often practice in orienteering and working with azimuths in particular, and also every time before going out on a route, check the compass, and preferably two - main and spare.

In order to move along the compass, you need to determine the azimuth on the map. This is true for aircraft and ships making long flights and voyages. This is also true for backpackers in poor visibility conditions, at night, when there is no likelihood of moving along the landmark.

You will need

- route map;
- compass;
- protractor;
- ruler;
- pencil.

Instructions

1. Azimuth is the angle between the location meridian and the direction to the subject. It is expressed in degrees from 0 to 360 and is counted clockwise. In order to determine the azimuth - the direction to the object - and, perhaps, the direction of your movement, you need to know your location. Sweep it on the map using the surrounding landmarks marked on the map.

2. Find the target in the direction of which you must move. Explicit movement in azimuth is permissible in airspace and on the high seas. On land, this is applicable in the open steppe or in the desert. More often than everyone, movement on land is carried out along a broken line, considering ordinary obstacles. Consequently, the azimuth in the process of movement will have to be periodically corrected by you.

3. To determine the azimuth, you need a protractor, preferably transparent, a ruler and a pencil. Place the ruler on the map so that the point of your location and the target are on the ruler, and draw a line with a pencil until it intersects with the nearest meridian. Now attach the protractor with its base to the meridian line. Bring the center line to the intersection with the drawn line - the direction to the target. On the arc of the protractor, at the intersection with the same line, take readings in degrees. This will be the azimuth.

4. In the absence of a protractor, it is allowed to use a compass using its graduated rose.

5. But that is not all. Let's say your direction to the target (azimuth) is 30 degrees. This will be the true azimuth, the one that, as usual, differs from the magnetic one. Consequently, orienting your compass at 30 degrees and moving in this direction will be abnormal. Therefore, find on the map the note with the magnetic declination value closest to the area of your location. It is expressed in degrees and can be either a + or a minus sign. Enter the correction, and move boldly, guided by the compass.

Focusing on the terrain on a camping trip, fishing, and even easily when in an unknown area, it is often necessary to apply not so much the ability to position the cardinal points as arbitrarily chosen landmarks. To move along the given landmarks, we need the skill of what is azimuth and also how to find it.

You will need

Compass, landmarks

Instructions

1. To begin with, imagine that you are in the center of an imaginary circle, divided into 360 parts (degrees), marked with strokes, and located with the zero mark to the north. If you see that it is possible that the high dome of an Orthodox church is in this coordinate system opposite to the mark with a count of 270, this means that the selected target is located in the direction that is determined by the indicated count. The angle expressed in degrees between the direction north and the direction to the selected target, measured clockwise, will be azimuth ohm.

2. For determining azimuth and on the ground, stand facing the selected object (landmark). Take the compass, release the magnetic needle brake, and place the instrument firmly horizontally.

3. When the needle calms down and stops wobbling, align the zero point on the compass dial with north. You have just oriented the compass.

4. Now, without knocking out this orientation, turn the cover of the device so that the slot is directed towards you, and the front sight is turned correctly in the direction of the landmark. To do this, look primitively through the slot at the front sight, aligning the "aiming line" with the reference point. The reading near the front sight will show the value azimuth and on the selected object.

5. If you have to solve the inverse problem, that is, according to a predetermined magnetic azimuth find the required direction on the ground (this is done when moving along azimuth am), set the pointer at the front sight to the countdown equal to the desired azimuth y and release the brake lever of the magnetic arrow.

6. Place the compass horizontally and orient it in the same way as when determining azimuth but to the object. Look at the area through the front sight and look for some target. The direction from the point of your location to this target will correspond to the given azimuth at.

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Note!
A zimut (designated "Az" or "Az") - in geodesy, the angle between the direction to the north (in the Southern Hemisphere - to the south) and the direction to some distant object. It is usually counted clockwise.

Helpful advice
Azimuth is the angle formed between the direction to some terrain object and the direction to the north. In order to determine the given azimuth on the ground, you need to: set the pointer of the compass sighting device with a point above the division corresponding to the value of the given azimuth; turn the compass so that the pointer of the sight is in front

Azimuth is the angle formed between the direction to any terrain object and the direction to the north.

Azimuths are counted from 0 to 360 ° clockwise.

So, in fig. 1 azimuths will be:

On deciduous tree 50 °

Factory chimney 135 °

To road sign 210 °

For coniferous tree 330 °

Determining the azimuth by compass

To determine the azimuth on the ground, you need:

face in the direction of the object to which you want to determine the azimuth;
orient the compass, that is, bring its zero division (or the letter C) under the darkened end of the compass needle;
rotating the compass cover, direct the sighting device to the subject;
read the azimuth value against the pointer of the sighting device facing the object.

To determine the given azimuth on the ground, you need:

set the pointer of the compass sighting device with a point above the division corresponding to the value of the given azimuth;
turn the compass so that the pointer of the sight is in front;
- turn yourself with the compass until the zero point coincides with the north end of the arrow; the direction of the pointer of the sight and will be the direction of the given azimuth.
The alignment of the hairline with the direction to the object (target) is achieved by repeatedly shifting the gaze from the hairline to the target and back. It is not recommended to raise the compass to eye level, as the measurement accuracy decreases. The accuracy of measuring azimuths using Andrianov's compass is plus or minus 2-3 °.

Azimuth movement

To move along a given azimuth, you need:

study the terrain on the map between the source and destination points of movement and outline a route that is easily recognizable by local objects;
draw the selected route on the map and determine the azimuths of all links of the route;
determine on the map the length of each link of the route in steps (a couple of steps on average is 1.5 m);
write all data for movement in a field book in the form of a table or a schematic drawing

Arriving at the starting point, you should:

navigate by the compass;
set the pointer of the movable compass ring against the reference, equal to the azimuth of the first link of the route (in our example - 335 °);
smoothly turn the compass until the zero division coincides with the north end of the arrow; then the sighting device will show the direction of movement in azimuth - 335 °;
in this direction, choose an object and go for it. Having approached the object, you need to check the orientation of the compass and continue your journey to the first turning point;
at the first turning point, you need to set the azimuth on the compass to the next turning point and move to it in the same way as from the starting point.

Determination of azimuths on the map with a protractor

Initially, the landmarks selected along the route of movement are connected by a straight line, but so that this line intersects at least one of the vertical lines of the kilometer grid. No rice. 196 the direction "shed - ravine" crossed the kilometer line, indicated by the number 61, and the direction "shed - bridge" crossed the line under the number 60.

Then measure the angle with a protractor from the north direction of the vertical line of the kilometer grid clockwise to the direction of the object. In this case, the protractor is applied to the vertical line of the kilometer grid so that the risk (dash) on the ruler of the protractor coincides with the point where the drawn direction intersects the vertical line of the kilometer grid, and the extreme divisions of the protractor (0 and 180) coincide with the direction of this line.

In the figure, in the direction "shed - ravine" the azimuth is 65 °, in the direction "shed - bridge" 274 ° (180 ° + 94 ° = 274 °).

The deviation of the magnetic needle or direction correction is the angle between the vertical line of the kilometer grid and the compass needle (magnetic meridian). The declination value of the arrow is always given below the southern (lower) side of the map frame in the form of a diagram and text.

Determination of magnetic azimuths

Performed in contrast to the above on an oriented map, taking into account the magnetic declination. Magnetic declination is either east with a "+" sign or west with a "-" sign. Knowing the magnitude and sign of the deviation, it is easy to combine the direction of one of the sides of the frame of the map sheet (west or east) with the direction of the true meridian (Fig. 197). When the sides of the map frame are aligned with the direction of the true meridian, the map will be oriented exactly.

In practice, they do it like this:

install a compass on one of the sides of the map so that the north-south line of the compass scale coincides with the direction of this side of the frame, and the zero (C) on the scale is directed to the north side of the map frame;
release the brake of the compass needle and, when the needle calms down, rotate the map until the arrow reaches its northern end against the zero division (C) of the compass scale,
rotate the map without moving the compass so that the northern end of the arrow stands against the division corresponding to the value and sign of declination for a given map sheet (in the figure, the map is oriented at declination - 10, west);
the map oriented in this way is fixed;
connect landmarks with straight lines: a ravine - a barn, a barn - a stone;
set the compass on the drawn line between the reference point so that the "north-south" line of the scale coincides with this direction, and the zero division (C) is directed in the direction of movement;
when the arrow calms down, read off the scale against the north end of the arrow; subtract the resulting reading from 360 °, this difference will be the magnetic azimuth.

Measuring the distance between landmarks

The distance between landmarks is measured as follows:

determine the length of the segments on the map with a compass or ruler;

using the scale of the map, they find out what distance the segments on the ground correspond to;
For example, on a map with a scale of 1: 25,000, the measured distance between two landmarks is 6.4 cm. The scale value is 250 m in 1 cm.

The distance will be 250 x 6.4 = 1600 m.

The movement begins with finding the desired azimuth of the direction of movement. It is advisable to choose and remember the most distant landmark in the direction of movement. In motion, the distance traveled is counted (usually in pairs of steps).

If the landmark is not at this point, a sign is left at the exit point, or one or two fighters, and the landmark is searched for within a radius of 0.1 of the distance traveled from the previous landmark.

In the movement, additional landmarks are used: power lines, rivers, roads, etc.

Avoiding obstacles, depending on the conditions, can be done in one of the following ways:

If you can see through the obstacle:

notice a landmark in the direction of travel on the opposite side of the obstacle;
bypass the obstacle and continue moving from the observed landmark, determine the width of the obstacle in any way and add it to the distance traveled;
In the absence of visibility through an obstacle, for example, when bypassing a forest blockage, as well as in conditions limited visibility: fog, rain, etc.

Suppose that the movement was carried out in an azimuth of 65 ° and before stopping in front of the obstacle 340 pairs of steps were passed (in Fig. 198 this is point 1.) After studying the terrain, it was decided to make a detour from the right side. Determine the azimuth of the direction along the obstacle using the compass (from point 1 to point 2), continue moving in this direction, counting pairs of steps to the right border of the obstacle. In the figure, the azimuth is 145 °, and the distance traveled is 180 pairs of steps. Having made a stop at point 2, the compass determines the direction corresponding to the initial azimuth along which the movement was made to the obstacle (65 °) and continue to move until the obstacle is exited. Counting in pairs of steps is carried out from point 2 to the stopping point behind the obstacle (point 3). In the figure, the distance traveled is 270 pairs of steps. From point 3, the movement is made to the left in the reverse azimuth of the direction from point 1 to point 2.

Avoiding obstacles in azimuths

in the figure, the reverse azimuth is 325 °) until a distance of 180 pairs of steps is covered (in the figure to point 4). At point 4, the direction is determined according to the initial azimuth (65 °) and, having added to the distance traveled to the obstacle, the distance from point 2 to point 3 (Fig. 198 is 340 pairs of steps + 270 pairs of steps) continue to move to a new landmark.

Fighters need to remember that the reverse azimuth differs from the direct one by 180 degrees. For example, Am = 330, the reverse azimuth will be 330 - 180 = 150. am = 30, the reverse azimuth will be 180 + 30 = 210.

Converting the length of each section between landmarks into pairs of steps: from landmark 1 to landmark 2 will be 1200 m. 1200: 1.5 = 800 p.sh. (1.5 m - average length of 2 pairs of steps).

Drawing the detected object on the map

This is one of highlights in the work of a scout. The accuracy of determining its coordinates depends on how accurately the object (target) will be mapped. The error will cause the fire of means of destruction on an empty space.

Having found an object (target), the scout must first accurately determine by various signs what was detected. Then, without stopping observing the object and without revealing yourself, put the object on the map.

There are several ways to draw an object on the map.

Ocularly: an object is mapped if it is close to a known landmark.

By direction and distance: orient the map, find your point of position on it, swipe the direction to the detected object on the map and draw a line, determine the distance to the object, postpone this distance on the map from the point of standing. The resulting point will be the position of the object on the map. If in this way it is graphically impossible to solve the problem (the enemy interferes, poor visibility, etc.), then you need to accurately measure the azimuth to the object, then translate it into a directional angle and draw a direction on the map from the standing point, on which to postpone the distance to the object. To get the directional angle, you need to add the magnetic declination of this map (direction correction) to the magnetic azithmouth.

Line-to-line object mapping

Straight serif. In this way, an object is plotted on a map from 2 x 3 points from which you can monitor it. To do this, from each selected point, a direction to the object is drawn on an oriented map, then the intersection of straight lines determines the location of the object (Fig. 199).