Solar compasses are essentially inverted sundials:
- A sundial shows the solar time, provided it is properly oriented.
- A solar compass helps you find your bearings if you know the solar time.
There are many types of solar compasses.
Nous en décrivons plusieurs ici (cliquez sur les images pour en savoir plus) :
Viking sun compass
The most mysterious: did it really exist?
Bagnold compass
The most heroic: used by LRDG and the SAS in the desert during World War II
Howard Pattern Sun Compass
The longest in use: invented in 1836, it was still used during the First Gulf War
Cole compas
The most autonomous: no table necessary
Also, check out these other ways to find north without a compass:
Finding North without a compass All articles | ||
1 | With a stick (and the day) | |
2 | With a stick (and 30 minutes) | |
3 | With a regular watch | |
4 | With a pilot watch | |
5 | With a double sundial | |