UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 85 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Pole Star Direction Finding
A person stood alone in a desert on a dark night and wanted to reach his village which was situated 5 km east of the point where he was standing. He had no instruments to find the direction but he located the pole star. The most convenient way now to reach his village is to walk in the
Show answer
Answer: C. direction keeping the pole star to his left
Verdict
Correct Answer: Direction keeping the Pole Star to his left
Analysis
The Pole Star indicates the north direction. Once north is known, the other directions can be identified easily.
1. Facing the Pole Star — North
The Pole Star is located nearly above the North Pole.
So, if a person faces the Pole Star, he is facing north.
2. Direction behind him — South
When he faces north, the direction behind him is south.
3. Direction to his right — East
If a person faces north, his right side points east and his left side points west.
4. Direction to his left — West
Since the village is 5 km east, he must move towards his right if he is facing the Pole Star.
But if he starts walking east, the Pole Star will remain on his left side.
Extra UPSC info
* Pole Star is also called Polaris.
* It appears almost fixed in the sky because it lies close to the Earth’s axis of rotation.
* It is useful for finding north in the Northern Hemisphere.
* The Pole Star is not visible from the Southern Hemisphere.
* The altitude of the Pole Star roughly indicates the latitude of the observer.
How to crack it
To reach a village located eastwards, the person should walk in the direction where the Pole Star remains to his left.