- The 4 main uses of the compass rose
- 1- Wind orientation
- 2- Represent the north
- 3- Wind speed
- 4- Aeronautical application
- References:
The compass rose is used to know the direction of the winds based on the circumference of the horizon. It is also called nautical rose and was originally used on navigation charts.
The nautical rose has four main edges that denote the four cardinal points: north, south, east and west. In addition, it has two subdivisions; the first shows the lateral directions, which are northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.
The second subdivision is composed of the eight collateral courses, which combine each of the previously mentioned courses.
The directions marked on the compass rose can help guide a boat to its destination.
The 4 main uses of the compass rose
1- Wind orientation
Wind is a mass of air that moves along the seas or continents, as a consequence of the different temperatures that are generated by the presence of the sun or the different seasons of the year.
The compass rose allows us to know towards which cardinal, lateral or collateral direction the wind is moving. Next to the rose a weather vane is used that moves in the direction the wind blows, while the nautical rose is static setting the course.
For sailors it was essential to know the direction of the wind because it was the form of propulsion or thrust that ships moved by sail had, since modern mechanical engines did not exist.
2- Represent the north
The compass rose is believed to have been invented in the 13th century. At that time, the sophisticated guidance equipment of the current era did not exist.
With the nautical rose the north is established as the main point of reference to establish the other courses.
North takes zero degree and from there the degrees begin to run until they reach 360, which is the end of the horizon circumference.
3- Wind speed
Another use of the compass rose is to determine the wind speed, which is measured in knots. A piece of equipment called an anemometer is used for this measurement.
Determining the wind speed is essential to know if these can pose a risk to people or boats.
4- Aeronautical application
Airplanes sail too, only they do it in the air currents and in the clouds. That is why aeronautics is called the discipline that studies and teaches everything related to this field.
To orient the planes, it is of utmost importance to know the direction the wind is carrying through which the flight will take place.
The compass rose has been very useful for the construction of airports, because it allows determining the regular air currents in a geographical area.
References:
- Compass Rose. Nautical Dictionary. Recovered from the site: dictionary-nautico.com.ar
- Compass rose, uses, applications. RAMOS, MARITZA. Recovered from the site: prezi.com
- The rose of the winds. Bank of the Republic. Recovered from the site: banrepcultural.org
- Importance of the Compass Rose. Recovered from the site: importa.org