ePlaya

I'm considering an art project based on the map of BRC. While it is normally portrayed as the horse shoe shape with six o'clock at the bottom and 12 o'clock on top, that is not the magnetic orientation of BRC. Due South would be about 4:30 so due North would be 10:30. But I also know the city twists and moves every year as well.
Does anyone know how to find the actual magnetic orientation of the city from year to year? Obviously, it's set deliberately, so there's a map somewhere with details of the magnetic orientation. Hoping someone might know where it's hiding.

While the precise location in the city will vary from year to year, my understanding is that the actual orientation of the city remains the same. Several people have posted detailed maps in the past, and you may find some useful info, or even a copy of one of those maps in one of the burner guide smartphone apps. Also keep in mind that, according to a lot of Earth scientists, magnetic north is on the move by something like 22 miles a year (a fascinating piece in Smithsonian Magazine can be found here). I've never dabbled in precise geo measurements out there, so I don't have any useful tips.

I found the answer to my own question, and leave it here in case someone else needs it. In the city dataset which includes all the precise location and orientation details for every year is the simple statement that BRC True North and South run along the 4:30 - 10:30 axis.

you can also look up the magnetic deviation numbers for the location, then use a usgs or other accurate map.

claybcook wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 2:27 pm

I found the answer to my own question, and leave it here in case someone else needs it. In the city dataset which includes all the precise location and orientation details for every year is the simple statement that BRC True North and South run along the 4:30 - 10:30 axis.

And the link to the dataset just to make it truly complete

https://innovate.burningman.org/datasets-page/