magnetic north
Where compasses point
Magnetic north is the direction toward which a compass needle points, corresponding to the Earth's magnetic north pole rather than true geographic north.
Because the magnetic pole shifts over time and doesn't align perfectly with the geographic pole, magnetic north differs from true north by an angle called magnetic declination.
Navigators and surveyors must account for this difference when using compasses.
The trail map warned that magnetic north was several degrees east of true north in this region.
Device showing cardinal directions
- bearingPosture or orientation
- azimuthHorizontal directional angle
- variationChange from a norm
- orientingDetermining one's position
wayfinding · dead reckoning · chart · map · GPS · gyrocompass · sextant · astrolabe
Device showing cardinal directions
- lodestoneNaturally magnetic mineral
- magnetiteMagnetic iron ore
- ferromagnetismStrong atomic magnetic alignment
- ironElement twenty-six
field · flux · poles · dipoles · attraction · repulsion · induction · electromagnet
Earth's northernmost zone
- aurora borealisHigh-latitude luminous sky phenomenon
- tundraFrigid treeless biome
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
- glaciersSlow-moving ice masses
midnight sun · polar night · Svalbard · Greenland · Nunavut · Inuit · expedition · icebreaker
compass
Device showing cardinal directions
orienting · wayfinding · dead reckoning · chart · map · GPS · gyrocompass · sextant · astrolabe · celestial navigation
compass
Device showing cardinal directions
- lodestoneNaturally magnetic mineral
- magnetiteMagnetic iron ore
- ferromagnetismStrong atomic magnetic alignment
iron · field · flux · poles · dipoles · attraction · repulsion · induction · electromagnet · paramagnetism
Arctic
Earth's northernmost zone
- aurora borealisHigh-latitude luminous sky phenomenon
- tundraFrigid treeless biome
- permafrostPerpetually frozen earth layer
glaciers · midnight sun · polar night · Svalbard · Greenland · Nunavut · Inuit · expedition · icebreaker · sled dogs
- seafaringship, sailors, ships, sail, sailor
- directionssouth, east, west, left, right
- Map Termslatitude, longitude, equator, meridian, prime meridian
- navigationcompass, compass rose, signs, charts, navbar
- navigation termsnautical charts, GPS, road signs, maps, south
- cartographymaps, world map, atlas, globes, cartographers
north, magnetic, magnetism, magnetic declination, magnetize, magnetized, declination, magnetizing, magnetic field