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All compasses point to magnetic north, except when at the North or South Poles. Then the compass can do crazy things. Truth north can be found by placing your compass so the finger points along the N line on your map. Holding the compass in that position, turn your map so that the finger is aligned along the degree line on your map. You can tell the North Line as it is aligned with the edge of the map. The other line is your True North according to your position for your particular area.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
To align your compass to true north, you need to adjust for magnetic declination, which is the angle between magnetic north and true north. You can find the specific magnetic declination for your location using online tools or a topographic map. Once you know the value of magnetic declination, you can use it to adjust the compass needle or rotate the bezel to align it with true north.
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How does magnetic field affect a compass?
The earth's magnetic field acts upon the magnetic material of the compass needle, causing it to align to the field. Thus, the compass appears to point North, which is "magnetic north". Magnetic north and "true north" are about 300 miles apart.
How does earth magnetic field affect a compass?
The earth's magnetic field acts upon the magnetic material of the compass needle, causing it to align to the field. Thus, the compass appears to point North, which is "magnetic north". Magnetic north and "true north" are about 300 miles apart.
What does orienting mean on a map?
It means turning it around so that it is aligned with the real world. You'd use a compass for this to find magnetic north, then find true north and then align the map north to that
Does a compass point true north magnetic north or at the north pole?
North Star points at True North, you can use a compass and north star to see how far off magnetic north is from your location. .
What does a compass needle do?
It points to true north.
What does a compass needle point do?
It points to true north.
A way to find the variation from true north?
Compass.
A needle on a compass always point to what pole?
The North Pole.Another AnswerA compass needle points to the location called 'Magnetic North', named to distinguish it from 'True North'. Magnetic North is several hundred miles away from True North.
What happens internally when you calibrate a mechanical auto compass?
Small magnets are rotated to "null out" local magnet fields so the compass will accurately align to magnetic North.
Does a compass point to north?
no It points to magnetic north, which is not exactly the same as true north.
Why magnet rest in north - south direction only?
The compass tries to align with the Earth's magnetic flux lines.
What are the two areas on Earth where a compass will point at true north?
it is in the north pole
