Magnetic North vs True North: Understanding Variation and Deviation in Navigation
True North and Magnetic North In the world of navigation, two terms often get tossed around: true north and magnetic north. While they sound similar, they're not exactly the same. Understanding the difference between them is crucial for accurate navigation, especially when relying on a compass. True North True north refers to the fixed point on Earth's axis around which the planet spins. It's like a giant bullseye at the top of the globe. Magnetic north, on the other hand, is the direction the compass needle points. It's not fixed and can vary depending on your location on Earth. This difference between true north and magnetic north is called variation. Maps and directions…