Orientationbearing

Orientationbearing is a term used in fields such as surveying, navigation, and archaeology to describe the angular orientation of an object, feature, or instrument relative to a reference direction, usually true north or another defined north reference. It is commonly expressed as an azimuth or bearing: the angle from the reference north to the object's forward-facing direction, measured clockwise from 0° to 360°. In practice, orientation bearing can determine how a map, monument, or device is oriented within a coordinate system.

Measurement and references: Orientation bearing can be obtained with a compass for field work, a theodolite or total station, a GNSS receiver with heading, or inertial and orientation sensors in instruments and devices. For maps and plans, grid north or true north may be the reference; magnetic north requires applying declination corrections.

Distinctions: Orientation bearing differs from travel bearing in some contexts; the former denotes the facing direction, the latter the direction of motion. In many disciplines, the term is used interchangeably with heading or azimuth when describing an object's orientation.

Applications: Architecture uses orientation bearing to position buildings for daylight or climate considerations; archaeology employs it to align structures with celestial events or cardinal directions; robotics and computer vision use it to define a vehicle’s or device’s facing direction; maritime and aviation contexts use it to specify heading relative to a reference meridian.

Limitations: Accuracy can be affected by magnetic interference, grid conventions, and reference frame choices. Proper calibration and clear reference definitions are essential.

See also: azimuth, bearing, heading, true north, magnetic declination, orientation, survey.