Quick Answer
To find south using shadow stick techniques, you need to create a vertical stick in the ground and mark the end of its shadow with a small rock. Wait for about an hour, then draw a line between the two marks. The middle point of this line will be approximately south.
Creating the Shadow Stick
To begin, find a straight stick, ideally 1-2 meters long, and push it into the ground at a 90-degree angle. Mark the end of the shadow with a small rock. This will be your starting point. Wait for about an hour, taking note of the time, to allow the sun to move.
Drawing the Noon Sun Line
Once an hour has passed, draw a line between the original shadow mark and the new shadow mark. This line represents the path the sun has taken in the last hour. You can use a pencil or a stick to draw the line.
Locating South
Draw a perpendicular line from the middle point of the noon sun line to the ground. This line will be approximately south. In the tropics, this method can be quite accurate, but in northern latitudes, the method may be less precise due to the sun’s lower angle. To increase accuracy, wait for the next hour and repeat the process, then draw a line between the two new middle points. This line will be more accurate and will also indicate the direction of south.
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