Using the Sun to get an Azimuth

[penguinsix]

Despite sleeping through much of Astronomy, I recall that the Sun is more or less "due South" at noon (quite a stretch).

Checking http://www.emphemeris.com and my Astronomy program Starry Night, I've discovered that the Sun will hit the meridian tomorrow at 12:50:44 EDT. In fact, the Sun will be at 40 degree elevation (I need 38.9).

Since there isn't much magnetic declanation with the Sun, can I basically just point the dish at the Sun at that hour to find true South? I don't seem to have a satellite exactly at my long (76.5376) but suspect one won't be that far off.

Anyone had any luck with "solar pointing" of a dish?

 

[PSB]

Never tried it but found the below link that you may enjoy......

(Remember you can use any satellite when setting up a motorized system, true south is BEST, but using USALS any satellite close to your true south bird will work)

http://perso.numericable.fr/~gjullien/satellite.htm

 

[penguinsix]

Actually this worked out really well. I put a couple of poles in the yard in front of the dish when the sun was directly south (Starry Night said 12:50:44). I lined them up using the shadows, and then put sticks in the ground to create a "line" that was true south. Checked it with a compass but once I had the marker down it was quite easy.