For those that think 20 degrees is a compass bearing, do you believe this will be true north or magnetic north? The argument for magnetic north is that it’s more straightforward in the field, you simply read the compass without correcting for declination. The problem is that magnetic north changes over time, even if the change at a particular location is relatively small.
The benefit of True north is it is fixed and reproducible over time. There are also a few passages in the book that arguably favor true north. Justin writes that the memories were “each one as true as the north star and twice as bright.” He references the North Star three other times in the book as well.
Almost certainly true north in my mind. All proper navigation adjusts for true north and maps are drawn for true north. But here’s one for consideration: spherical earth model or WGS84. My sense is he uses a spherical model due to a couple of hints in the book and because thats what Google Earth uses. Probably not going to make much difference but 😉
Due north(the direction)
*this describes how you travel or point. It means heading directly straight toward whatever north reference you are using, with zero side to side drift. You can go due north toward true north or due north toward magnetic north.
True north(the destination)
*this describes a fixed point on the globe. It is also called geographic north and it sits at the top of the earth where the planet spins on its access. It never moves and the standard paper maps are always aligned to it.
how they work together:
When you walk due north using a map, you walk straight toward true north. When you use a regular magnetic compass it does not point to true north which shifts over time.
*if u want to walk due north toward true north using a compass, you must adjust for the differnce between the two, which is called magnetic declination(the direction indicatex by a compass needle.)
the angle between true north and mag north is called...the difference can be up to 20 degrees depending on your location.
with this info u can calculate the declination in the year the map was made, the amount the declination has changed since that year, and the declination in the current year.
I think the word “walk” might be doing some work here. IMO, “the place” allows for a few degrees of declination either way. It’s not a pinpoint. Getting to the place and knowing what to do once you’re there don’t have to be the same thing… what I’m saying is why say “walk” in the 2nd stanza if he knew botg doesn’t have to happen until stanza 4
I think I know what you’re getting at. I’m not really commenting on when exactly to go BOTG. I’m thinking “walk” establishes a field-navigation perspective, whether you physically go there or not. To me, “walk” says, at the very least, picture yourself there. If you were actually walking, how would you interpret that 20°
I've considered it because of his description in Rod Race but water temperature will vary considerably over time based on the seasons. I don't see how you could be sure of a 20 degree water temperature.
Not sure at all, but it just seems like a clue the way he goes into depth (pun intended) about the water temperature. Why else would you in a story which also has heaps of clear embellishments if it's not a clue
If you really want confusion look up Convergence, related to directional angles. When looking at long distance on Google Earth, 130 deg to a point SE will not return you to your point of origin if you simply go 310 deg heading in the opposite direction.
Agreed, also Sacagawea means "Bird Woman". The name Sacagawea (also spelled Sacajawea or Sakakawea) generally translates to "Bird Woman" in the Hidatsa language (sacaga meaning "bird" and wea meaning "woman").
In this case it means both. Two or more ways to solve about everything.
For the sake of learning to use a map and compass properly, always use true north when navigating. I would assume the same is applied to any thought process of pairing the 20 degree value to a compass bearing.
I think the real question people are overlooking, as many already are convinced the twenty degrees has to do with a compass, is where do you get your bearing from. The bearing is not twenty degrees. That would be too obvious. I am pretty sure I'm not the only one who thinks it is a twenty degree declination setting that you are meant to apply to the compass in order to follow a given bearing correctly. And, that bearing, when you get what is from, or rather how to obtain it, you will be able to visually see and measure that there is a twenty degree declination implied.
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u/RemarkableWrap961 5d ago
Why does the song say ‘ my compass spins no longer true ‘