"::darkshadows::" <bat@cave.org> wrote in
news:erda055heisu7572nb6r2dll508lpqbagg@4ax.com:
>
>
>
> Where does a compass really point?
>
> A compass in the Northern Hemisphere truely does point in a northerly
> direction, but not to the North Pole. Instead, the compass points to
> the North Magnetic Pole, which, as Sir James Clark Ross discovered in
> 1831, is located at the northernmost point of the Artic coast of North
> America. Similarly, a compass in the Southern hemisphere always points
> to the South Magnetic Pole, which is firmly planted south of
> Australia, in Antarctica.
>
> The different directions their compasses pointed, when traversing the
> high-seas of the Northern Hemisphere, baffled ancient mariners. Their
> modern counterparts understand, and compensate for, the differences in
> the North Pole and the Northern Magnetic Pole, and chart their courses
> accordingly. The differences in the poles proves minor, in comparison
> to the tricks the Northern Magnetic Pole pulls from its home of
> Boothia. The bane of boyscouts, as they attempt to navigate with, or
> without, the benefit of their trusty compasses, is the fact that this
> Pole chooses to roam about in a 20-mile circle, and to shift its
> course between day and night.
>
> This 20-mile variance, however, is not one of global proportions.
> Modern sea-farers compensate for the Northern Magnetic Pole's
> perpetual motion, by using charts, and tools other than the compass.
> All things considered, 20 miles is a minor measure for distant
> travelers to take into account in adjusting their travel agenda.
>
> Thankfully, the Southern Magnetic Pole spares sailors the navigational
> nightmare its Northern nemesis does. In the south, compass needles
> actually do point true South, to the South Magnetic field.
>
Now you tell me that we have to have two compasses - one for North and the
other for South magnetic pole.
Why did you wait all these years to give me this news ?? I shall have to
hand in all my flying licences as I am no longer compitent to navigate
either side of the equator. Just as a matter of interest, which compass do
I use when I am directly over the equator but flying East to West ?? An
East and West magnetic pole too, perhaps ?? Maybe just the number you
thought of first ??
ds, you are leading TuTsTer astray!!!
David
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