Compass and cardinal directions

In short: A compass uses a magnetic needle to point to the Earth’s magnetic north pole. With it you can determine directions and orient yourself.

In more detail: The needle aligns with the Earth’s magnetic field (magnetismus-grundlagen). The magnetic north pole differs slightly from the geographic north pole (declination).

In detail

• Main directions: North, east, south, west, in between north-east, south-east, south-west, north-west.
• Without a compass: At noon in Central Europe the Sun is in the south, rises in the east and sets in the west.
• Stars: The Pole Star lies almost exactly in the north. You find it via the Big Dipper.
• Watch method: With an analogue watch south can be found approximately.
• Interference: Metal, magnets and electrical devices deflect the needle. Smartphone GPS is often more accurate (navigation-gps-funktionsweise).