What is the compass and what is it for?

The compass is a great device that serves to determine the direction of the cardinal points, and thus generate an approximate or exact location of where we can find ourselves and where to go to reach a required location.

It is widely used by explorers and those adventurers who measure strength and knowledge in various natural conditions such as forests, or deserts, and even during navigation.

How does a compass work?

Its operating process is given by means of a magnetized needle that rotates around an axis that marks the North-South magnetic poles of the earth, which are reflected on the surface or front part of the element.

What is the compass used for

Its uses include:

• Show the address of a place you want to get to.

• Orientation and rolling in the field. This is achieved by mixing a map with a compass and the exact knowledge of the direction of geographic location, in order to establish a specific heading. In case the exact location is not known, an approximation of the site can be generated.

• Follow a course on a map. With the compass you can measure the distance in angles and the course, in general you must choose the route to follow from the exact or approximate location point to the arrival point and in such a way you will get an indication of the direction to follow, making exact decisions and faster.
• Perform triangulation. If there is no certainty about the geographical point where you are, you can carry out a survey on the nearby features that coincide with the map, to try to achieve the location through triangulation, which consists of making two rolling measurements of the land features known and traced on the map, these two lines drawn on the two bearings intersect at one point and this point shows the exact position.

Compass Features

• The operation of the compass is based on the magnetism of the earth, which indicates the magnetic south that corresponds to the geographic north, which are slightly different for each area of ​​the planet.

• The magnetized needle points the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field pointing towards the north and south poles, allowing orientation in most of the globe. Being unproductive in the polar zones due to the convergence of the lines of force of the Earth’s magnetic field.

• It must be placed in a horizontal position and rotated in such a way that the part that corresponds to the north on the needle coincides with the part of the sphere that is marked as such, allowing the reading to be taken in the desired direction.

What is the importance of the compass?

The compass in ancient times allowed the great navigators to improve their sense of location and therefore their dexterity when navigating, which allowed them to reach new lands and places unknown to man and thus initiate the exchange of cultures.

It should be noted that new trade agreements were also established, contributing to the expansion of great civilizations and the consolidation of great empires in which today are called independent countries and important societies.

History of the compass

The compass was invented in China approximately in the 9th century in order to determine the directions in the open sea, it consisted of a magnetic needle that floated in a large vessel filled with water, which over the years was improving , because its size had been reduced, facilitating its use and transport.

Later a rotary axis was developed, adding the “compass rose” which is a disk with marks and divisions of degrees and subdivisions that indicated 32 celestial directions and was used as the marine compass until the end of the 19th century.

Nowadays, many improvements have been made to the compass, essentially reducing its size to make it portable instruments, which also contain lighting systems and optical systems to perform measurements that take objects located in the distance as a reference.

The Chinese compass always points south, while the European ones always point north, suggesting to the researchers that the European compass was an independent invention of the Chinese compass.

Compass types

All compasses have an operation that focuses on the same foundation, but there are a wide variety of types of compasses with specific functionality, as some point to magnetic north and others to geographic north.

Turning compass

It was developed during the nineteenth century, it contains a wheel or ball that rotates at high speeds and uses the axis of rotation of the earth together with the law of angular conservation to indicate the true geographic north. It is used in large vessels that need to know precisely the true north.

Base plate compass or protractor compass

It is the evolution of the magnetic compass, it has a rectangular base plate with a rotating compass marked in degrees. The floor of the compass box is marked with parallel lines opposite an arrow.

The compass can have scale bars that allow the measurement of map distances on one edge of the base plate, in addition to having a magnifying glass that allows deciphering the map in detail and templates to mark the course of orientation.

Thumb compass

This type of compass was developed by a Swedish orientator as an alternative to the base plate compass and the magnetic compass. It has a strap that is used to connect it to the thumb and is used to hold it on the map. The compass and the map are read together which allows a faster and easier reading in order to maintain the direction with the least possible error and advance as fast as possible, turning out to be an advanced orientation tool for nautical races .

Magnetic Compass

It was designed to specify magnetic north by using magnetized iron or a low friction steel assembly that allows free movement. It was used by sailors for a long time in a version contained in a wooden or ivory box, which was then wrapped in brass that did not affect its operation.

Astrocompás

The astrocompass determines true north instead of magnetic north, and is used in the vicinity of the earth’s poles, where magnetic compasses are defective and turning compasses do not work.

GPS compass

This compass uses state-of-the-art technology, since it uses satellites in orbit over the earth to determine the exact location on a map using coordinates, this they do by triangulating satellites and in the sea and mountains.

How to read a compass?

It should be placed in front of the object whose direction is being determined, always keeping it level and parallel to the ground, thus holding it, the needle will move freely, to align the magnetic tip with the orientation arrow.

The compass should be kept close so that the dial can be seen looking down. This will allow you to establish the location of the needle on the orientation arrow, with its ends aligned correctly.

How to make a homemade compass?

The following materials should be obtained:

• A magnet
• A cooking needle
• A piece of cork
• A deep plate
• Scotch tape
• Water

The needle must first be magnetized, always rubbing it in the same direction on the magnet. The needle is then taped to the piece of cork with masking tape, leaving the ends of the needle sticking out of the cork. Placing the cork in the container full of water, the needle will rotate until it finds the north, when achieving this, the cardinal points should be marked starting from the north, down the south, on the right side the east and on the left side the west.

conclusion

The compass is a very useful and important component for adventurers and experts in sports and outdoor activities, it is also for beginners who are interested in this type of activity, since it can be the element that in some occasion save their lives or guide them to their destination should the other guidance tools fail.

It should be noted that it is a small device that should never be forgotten, since it can easily be carried in any backpack or bag.