Navigating Without a Compass at Night

As it is with the case of navigation in the day, night navigation without a compass also depends largely on celestial bodies. While there are a number of methods, in this post, I will place emphasis on one of the easiest among them all.

Some Complex Methods

Polaris:
Attempting to navigate with the help of polaris only works when you are in the northern hemisphere. It's often impossible to see Polaris from most places in the southern hemisphere. But even when it's confirmed that you are in the Northern hemisphere, which of the stars is Polaris becomes the next problem.
The Big and Little Dipper
This constellation are very instrumental when attempting to locate the North pole. Both constellation are made up of seven stars each. To identify this constellations, you need good knowledge of astronomy.
Orion’s Sword
Orion's sword should help you identify the South, but you should first of all identify the Orion constellation, then locate his belt and it's his sword attached to the belt that points to the South.

Navigating with the Moon

On a very clear night, you can depend on the moon using the same shadow stick method used when navigation with the sun. This is because the moon also takes the same East to West path like the sun creating the same shadow pattern.

The Aligned Stick Displacement Method

This method is preferred because you don't need any knowledge of the constellations or the knowledge of which hemisphere you are in. You just have to pick one star, any bright star will be good enough for this.

What is needed

• A sky that is clear enough to spot a star
• Two sticks
• A little patience

Procedure

• Select a star that is easily identifiable. Anyone you can easily distinguish from the rest.

• Drive your first stick into the ground while facing the star you selected. The tip of the stick should align with the selected star
  

• Use a second stick to make sure it aligns with the tip of both sticks. Now you have your line of sight passing over both sticks to get to the selected star.
  

• it's now time to use the patience. You will have to wait till the star you picked moves away. Yes it will move out of the alignment you made with the two sticks.

Reading

• still looking over the two sticks, if the star selected appears to have moved up, it means you are facing due East.
  

• if the star moved down, then you are facing the West

• if the Stare moved to the left, then you are facing the North

• but if it went to the right, that is an indication that you are currently facing the South.
  Note that the directions here are the normal cardinal points rotated 90° in a counterclockwise direction .
  

• if the selected star happens not to move at all, then you have selected the North star called Polaris.

Advantage of the method

Identifying constellations is not necessary when using this method.
One visible star is enough to navigate with this method.

Precautionary Measures

When using the moon for navigation, the moon has to be bright enough to cast a shadow. A cloudless night sky is needed for this to work and the area must not have structures or trees that could constitute interference.

Using the two sticks star displacement method will require clear skys away from obstructions. Make sure the sticks are not wabbling.

Conclusion

With this navigational technique, getting lost will be a little more difficult. But next time you think you are lost, remember that the way home is up in the sky.