Quick Answer
If your compass malfunctions, use celestial navigation to determine your direction. Observe the position of the sun, moon, or stars to estimate your direction, then use a watch, shadow stick, or other means to adjust your course. Alternatively, use a map and a known location to triangulate your position.
Using the Sun for Navigation
When the sun is high in the sky, you can use its shadow to estimate your direction. Hold your shadow stick (a straight branch or stick) vertically in the ground, mark the end of its shadow with a rock, then wait for 15-20 minutes. The shadow will move, and you can draw a line from the end of the shadow to the tip of the stick. The midpoint of this line will be approximately south.
Using the North Star for Navigation
The North Star (Polaris) is located almost directly above the Earth’s North Pole and can be used as a navigation aid. To find the North Star, locate the Big Dipper constellation, then draw an imaginary line through the two stars at the end of the “bowl.” Continue this line for about five times the distance between the two stars, and you will find the North Star. The North Star is always due north, making it an excellent reference point for navigation.
Triangulating Your Position
If you have a map and a known location, you can use triangulation to estimate your position. Choose two reference points on your map, such as a road or a landmark, and use your compass to determine the bearing (direction) between them. Then, draw a line on your map from the known location to each reference point, and find the point where these lines intersect. This intersection point will be your estimated location.
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