How Many Directions are There

Introduction

There are four major directions such as north, west, east, and south. East and west are at right angles to south and north. East is the clockwise direction of rotation from the north, and the west is directly opposite to the east. These four east, south, north and west are the primary directions they are known as cardinal points. North-east (NE), south-east(SE), south-west(SW) and north-west(NW) are the other four intermediate directions. With the help of these intermediate directions, we can more precisely pinpoint any location.With the help of cardinal points, we can accurately define by convention cartographers' standard maps with the north at the top and the east at the right. Animals have an amazing sense of direction. Birds migrate thousands of miles every winter to summer homes for example- the pacific salmon swims across the oceans to lay its eggs in the very stream in which it was born.

How to Observe Directions

We observe to avoid saying that the sun is moving. It will probably appear that the sun is moving, not the earth. Because Earth is on its axis or around the sun yet. East is a certain direction and the sun always rises from the east in the morning.

We can also use a magnetic compass to observe directions. In a magnetic needle compass, the needle floating on the water points towards the north-south direction. We know that if we draw on paper, east is 900 clockwise to E. So, by identifying the location of the sun, we can identify the approximate location of the east. Now, the point of the needle which is in the anticlockwise direction of the estimated east will denote the exact north direction. From the north direction, on every 900 clockwise rotation. During nights, the end of the needle which denotes the pole star defines the north direction, and other directions can be found thereafter.

Degree of Rotation

The degree of rotation in the unit circle is a necessary step for navigation calculation. Which is derived from trigonometry and for use with global positioning satellites.

There are four cardinal directions-

• North(N) = 360°

• South(S) = 180°

• East(E) = 90°

• West(W) = 270°

There are four intercardinal directions

• Northeast(NE) =45°

• Southeast(SE) = 135°

• Southwest(SW) = 225°

• Northeast(NW)=315°

Uses of The Directions

Cardinal directions are apparently the most important directions in geography; these directions help us orient ourselves wherever we want. For example-, San Francisco, California, United States, is west of New York City. If we live in New York, and other cities also we have to travel west to get to California. You can use this magnetic compass which uses the Earth's magnetic field to figure out where you are in which direction you want to go. Compasses always point north. If we don't have a compass, we can also use the sun or the stars. The sun rises And sets from east and west. And in the morning, the sun will be in the east and in the afternoon it will be in the west. At night, the North Star is located in the Northern Hemisphere points north. And The Southern Cross, which is a constellation, (or group of stars) marks south in the Southern Hemisphere. The arrow is a universal symbol for directions. If someone is required to turn right at a stop sign to get to the freeway, there will usually be an arrow pointing the way.

How to Find Directions by The Stars

If you see a star directly in your head you can see these same stars from any place in the northern hemisphere. The star was named Polaris after the pole but it is also called the north star or pole star. The North star was the best guide for travelers on land and sea when the compass was not invented. The group of stars are called “constellations”. There are two stars in the bowl that are farthest away from the handle known as pointers. When we have found a north star, look for the little dipper. The north star is the last star in the handle of this small constellation. The north star never sets and it is the only star that is always in the same place in the sky. The Big Dipper rotates slowly around the North Star and does not always appear in the same position.

We can also use the constellation Cassiopeia. This group of five bright stars is shaped like a lopsided M. In the big dipper, the north star is straight out. And the Cassiopeia also rotates slowly around the North Star and is always almost directly opposite the Big Dipper. And positions of these opposite the Big Dipper make it a valuable aid when the Big Dipper is low in the sky, possibly out of sight because of vegetation or high terrain features.

South of the equator, the constellation Southern Cross will help us locate the general direction of the south and, from this base, any other direction. This group of four bright stars is shaped and tilted to one side. This point is the general direction of the south. From this point, look straight down to the horizon and select a landmark. Star navigation is actually pretty straightforward, on a clear night. Stars are navigational landmarks because they're constants. And they appear to move as the Earth rotates, but their actual positions and their orientations with regard to other stars never change. So if we can see that, we can point the way. All we need is our eyes, our brain, and our body to get a pretty accurate reading of where we are and where ours are headed.

State-Wise Directions

Notes

• There are five major latitudes.

• Directions are not the same in space because if we want to go anywhere in space we need seven points.

• Each dimension has two opposite directions: left and right or up and down or forward and backward. That’s why no matter where you’re at in the universe, there’ll always be six different spatial directions.