The difference between geographic and magnetic north simply explained

Geographical north simply explained

• To understand the difference between true and magnetic north, you first need a definition of the two terms.
• The geographic north is the intersection of the geographic position N 90 ° 0.0 'E 0 ° 0.0' and all degrees of longitude. It is where the earth's axis pierces the surface of the earth.

Magnetic North - Misleading Signpost

• Magnetic north is the so-called magnetic pole, which is often located near true north. However, the term "magnetic south pole" would be more correct here. The north pole of a magnet is known to align with the magnetic south pole. Since opposing poles attract, the supposed magnetic north is the magnetic south.
• The magnetic north pole is the point where all magnetic field lines - starting from the magnetic south pole - meet.

Difference between magnetic and true north

• So the magnetic north does not coincide with the true north.


Why is the compass needle not pointing exactly north?

It is common knowledge that the compass needle always points north ...

• Geographical north is a geographical point at which the earth's axis penetrates the earth's surface and magnetic north is the point at which the magnetic field lines start from the magnetic south converge.
• As a result, no compass really shows the correct direction "north". In some areas there can be deviations of up to 180 ° due to the not ideally running magnetic lines.
• The geographic north always remains in the same place, while the magnetic north changes constantly with the earth's magnetism. That is the difference between geographic and magnetic north.