compass

Also known as navigational compasses, navigational compass

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.

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.

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Commons category: Compasses
Commons gallery: Compass
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Article

13 sections

Contents

History
Natural magnet
Artificial compass
Design
Variants
Construction
Use
Non-magnetic compasses
See also
Notes
References
Further reading
External links

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.