| Those who have never used the sun to find precise direction may suppose it is only one of those exercises practiced by Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. We'll show in this section that astronomy, from daytime sun to nighttime moon, stars, and planets, can be one of the most efficient, accurate, and reliable methods of determining direction. Knowing that the sun does not always set "in the west" may be a crucial element of knowing how to survive in an emergency. From the simple question of where does the sun really set, astronomy can involve some tedious calculations and concepts difficult to visualize. But there are satisfying rewards in becoming more familiar with the apparent "movements" of heavenly bodies across the skies. Astronomy is a broad field replete with mathematical formulas, which we don't delve into deeply. But some of the basic concepts that can be applied to hiking navigation we will discuss. Most are not difficult to learn. Yet practice in using these principles can make us more versatile and safer upon the trail. Following is an outline of principles and techniques we will discuss as they relate to the Black Hills region:
ASTRONOMY TOPIC AREAS Systems of Time
The Sun and Astronomical Terms
The Stars and Constellations
The Planets
The Moon
Trigonometry with Sun or Moon ASSOCIATED TABLES Navigational Stars for the Black Hills Area
Southing Altitudes, Azimuths of Rising/Setting, Time Above Horizon |
