Buzz
When you're exploring the great outdoors, knowing the time until sunset can be a vital survival skill. Whether you've misplaced your watch or simply want to impress your friends with a nifty trick, you can utilize your hands to gauge the distance between the horizon and the sun, allowing you to estimate the remaining time until sunset. Each hand-width measurement between the horizon and the sun equates to an hour, while each finger-width measurement represents an additional fifteen minutes.
Steps
Selecting a Suitable Spot
Locate the position of the sun. This technique works best under clear skies without any cloud cover obstructing the view of the sun. However, if the sky is overcast or if the sun is obscured by trees, you may need to make approximations.
- If the sky is cloudy but you can still discern the sun's outline, you can proceed with the measurement between the horizon and the sun. Look for the haze surrounding the sun within the clouds and consider it as the sun's position. Although your calculation might be slightly inaccurate due to the larger haze compared to the sun itself, the difference will only be minimal, typically a few minutes.
- If the sky is cloudy and the sun is entirely hidden, this method cannot be utilized. However, if there's a chance of the sky clearing up, wait for ten to fifteen minutes to see if the sun becomes visible.
Ensure a clear sightline. If your view is obstructed by trees or other landscape features, find higher ground where you can enjoy an unobstructed view. Ascend a hill or climb to a higher vantage point until the sun is visible in the sky, allowing you to observe the gap between the sun and the horizon.
- If the terrain is rugged and climbing higher is not feasible, walk around to explore if you can spot the sun. Even a partial view will suffice for estimating the sun's position.
- If trees are blocking your view, make an educated guess. Even a faint outline of the sun can enable you to take a measurement.
Assume the correct stance. Extend one arm with your wrist bent so that your palm faces toward you. Choose either hand based on your comfort preference. Position your hand with fingers together and palm flat. Ensure the bottom edge of your hand (adjacent to your pinky finger) remains parallel to the ground.
- Adopt a comfortable posture for this technique, as you'll need to maintain stillness in your hands and body.
- Verify that the ground beneath you is stable, without loose rocks or uneven footing, which could affect measurement accuracy.
Estimating with Your Hand
Align your hand with the horizon.
Position your hand so that its bottom edge rests on the horizon. This edge should align precisely with the boundary between the sky and the land. Maintain stability and aim for parallel alignment to ensure accuracy.
- Regardless of your location, the horizon represents a level line separating the sky and the ground.
- If obstructions like mountains or trees hinder your view of the horizon, make an approximate estimation. Although not precise, this will provide a general indication of the remaining daylight hours.
Layer your second hand atop the first. If there's still visible space between the top edge of your hand and the sun, a second measurement is necessary. While keeping your first hand steady, overlay your other hand directly atop it in the same parallel position. Maintain stillness and prepare for the next step.
- Ensure correct alignment, with the top edge of your first hand (your index finger) matching the bottom edge of your second hand (your pinky finger).
- Keep your thumb aside; only your four fingers should contribute to the measurements.
Restack your initial hand. Should there still be a gap between the upper edge of your hand and the sun, repeat the measurement using your initial hand. While maintaining the position of your second hand, lift your first hand from underneath and place it atop the second. Ensure stability in your second hand to retain accuracy.
Keep track. As you layer your hands, maintaining a tally of the number of hand-width measurements is crucial. This count corresponds to the number of hand widths spanning between the horizon and the sun.
- If the count becomes extensive or if memory falters, seek assistance from companions if present. While you stack your hands, they can assist in tracking the count.
- If alone, meticulous self-counting is necessary. Verbally enumerate each hand stack to aid recollection, vocalizing each addition to reinforce memory.
Approach the sun. Continue stacking your hands as before until one of them makes contact with the sun. Partial obstruction by fingers is acceptable. Ensure each finger's precise placement, as it influences the calculation of remaining time before sunset.
Rely solely on fingers for late-day measurements. During later hours when the sun sits low and your entire hand cannot fit between the horizon and the sun, resort to using only your fingers for measurement. Each finger width remains equivalent to 15 minutes.
Determining the Hours
Observe the final placement of your hand. Assess how much of the sun is in contact with your fingers. Given that each finger represents 15 minutes, the discrepancy between adjacent fingers signifies the time remaining until sunset. Exclude your thumb from the calculation.
- If the sun aligns with the upper edge of your hand, no extra time needs to be added.
- If your forefinger obscures the sun, add 15 minutes to your total count.
- If both your forefinger and middle finger obscure the sun, add 30 minutes.
- Continue adding 15 minutes for each additional finger obstructing the sun.
Tally the accumulations. Each stacked hand equals an hour, necessitating an accurate count of the total number of hands. If the count was lost during stacking, recommence the process.
- Add the number of hand stacks: 1, 3, 5, etc.
- If your hand aligns precisely with the sun, the total equals the number of hours until sunset. For instance, four stacked hands correspond to four hours of daylight. However, if the sun aligns with one of your fingers, additional addition is required.
Sum the hand and finger measurements. Remember that each hand-width measurement signifies one hour before sunset, while each finger-width measurement equates to an additional fifteen minutes.
- For instance: if it took three hand widths and the sun was above your forefinger, middle finger, and ring finger, the distance from the sun to the horizon would be three hand widths and three finger widths. Three hand widths correspond to three hours. Three finger widths amount to 45 minutes (15 minutes each). Thus, the total time remaining would be 3 hours and 45 minutes before sunset.
Pointers
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This technique does not indicate the current clock time but rather the remaining daylight hours. Since sunset times vary seasonally, knowing the remaining daylight hours doesn't provide an approximate time unless you are aware of the sunset time for that day in that location.
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After sunset, there will still be some residual light. This method determines the duration until the sun dips below the horizon, so light will persist after this point.
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On overcast days, obtaining an accurate sun position may be challenging compared to clear days. Nonetheless, even with clouds, you may discern the sun's outline and utilize the method, albeit with potentially less precision.
Cautionary Notes
- Avoid direct eye contact with the sun to prevent eye damage from prolonged exposure to intense light.
- This technique is most effective in the mid latitudes of the globe, encompassing much of North America and Europe. However, in regions above 50 degrees latitude, such as Canada and Scandinavia, where the sun remains closer to the horizon for extended periods, this method may not yield accurate results.
- Keep in mind that this method provides only an approximation. When used for survival purposes, any time estimates should be treated as rough estimates.
