compass
Sign in to savethumb|upright=1.5|alt=compass with a slit at cover and looking hole|A modern military compass, with included Sight (device)|sight device for aligningA compass is a device that shows the cardinal directions used for navigation and geographic orientation. It typically consists of a magnetized needle or another element, such as a compass card or compass rose, that pivots to align itself with magnetic north. Other methods may be used, including gyroscopes, magnetometers, and GPS receivers.
AI overview
A compass is a device that shows cardinal directions and helps people navigate and understand where they are geographically. It typically works by using a magnetized needle that points toward magnetic north, though modern compasses may also use gyroscopes, magnetometers, or GPS receivers to determine direction.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
13 sectionsContents
- History
- Natural magnet
- Artificial compass
- Design
- Variants
- Construction
- Use
- Non-magnetic compasses
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Further reading
- External links
thumb|upright=1.5|alt=compass with a slit at cover and looking hole|A modern military compass, with included Sight (device)|sight device for aligningA compass is a device that shows the cardinal directions used for navigation and geographic orientation. It typically consists of a magnetized needle or another element, such as a compass card or compass rose, that pivots to align itself with magnetic north. Other methods may be used, including gyroscopes, magnetometers, and GPS receivers.
Compasses often show angles in degrees: north corresponds to 0°, and the angles increase clockwise, so east is 90°, south is 180°, and west is 270°. These numbers allow the compass to show azimuths or bearings which are commonly stated in degrees. If local variation between magnetic north and true north is known, then direction of magnetic north also gives direction of true north.