What does 'back azimuth' signify?

The term 'back azimuth' refers to the opposite direction of an azimuth. In navigation, an azimuth is commonly defined as the angle between a reference direction, usually true north, and the line to a point of interest, measured clockwise from the north. To determine the back azimuth, one takes the original azimuth and adds or subtracts 180 degrees. This process effectively allows navigators to find the exact opposite direction from a given azimuth, which is crucial for tasks such as plotting a return route or orienting oneself in reverse. Hence, understanding the concept of back azimuth is vital for effective navigation and orientation in various situations.