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Magnetic declination
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<h2 id="declination-change-over-time-and-location">Declination change over time and location</h2> <p>Magnetic declination varies both from place to place and with the passage of time. As a traveller cruises the east coast of the United States, for example, the declination varies from 16 degrees west in Maine, to 6 in Florida, to 0 degrees in Louisiana, to 4 degrees east in Texas. The declination at London, UK was one degree west (2014), reducing to zero as of early 2020.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> Reports of measured magnetic declination for distant locations became commonplace in the 17th century, and <a href="/facts/Edmond_Halley/JgjIRcUA">Edmund Halley</a> made a map of declination for the <a href="/facts/Atlantic_Ocean/EI4uChIb">Atlantic Ocean</a> in 1700.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> </p><p>In most areas, the spatial variation reflects the irregularities of the flows deep in the Earth; in some areas, deposits of <a href="/facts/Iron/QK1JYy8E">iron</a> <a href="/facts/Ore/kgc9DssX">ore</a> or <a href="/facts/Magnetite/SVxoGUs2">magnetite</a> in the Earth's crust may contribute strongly to the declination. Similarly, <a href="/facts/Geomagnetic_secular_variation/kr2IQPV7">secular</a> changes to these flows result in slow changes to the field strength and direction at the same point on the Earth. </p> <table><tbody><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>The magnetic declination in a given area may (most likely will) change slowly over time, possibly as little as 2–2.5 degrees every hundred years or so, depending on where it is measured. For a location close to the pole like <a href="/facts/Ivujivik/l1fmIAQY">Ivujivik</a>, the declination may change by 1 degree every three years. This may be insignificant to most travellers, but can be important if using magnetic bearings from old charts or <a href="/facts/Metes_and_bounds/jtR3V1DT">metes</a> (directions) in old deeds for locating places with any precision. </p><p>As an example of how variation changes over time, see the two charts of the same area (western end of <a href="/facts/Long_Island_Sound/9nqbXkUX">Long Island Sound</a>), below, surveyed 124 years apart. The 1884 chart shows a variation of 8 degrees, 20 minutes West. The 2008 chart shows 13 degrees, 15 minutes West. </p> <table><tbody><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="determination">Determination</h2> <h3>Field measurement</h3> <p>The magnetic declination at any particular place can be measured directly by reference to the <a href="/facts/Celestial_pole/5Gj9JJbK">celestial poles</a>—the points in the heavens around which the stars appear to revolve, which mark the direction of true north and true south. The <a href="/facts/Measuring_instrument/gfkMHBNR">instrument</a> used to perform this measurement is known as a <i>declinometer</i>. </p><p>The approximate position of the north celestial pole is indicated by <a href="/facts/Polaris/s9k0Irh3">Polaris</a> (the North Star). In the <a href="/facts/Northern_Hemisphere/EFwyqL25">northern hemisphere</a>, declination can therefore be approximately determined as the difference between the magnetic bearing and a visual bearing on Polaris. Polaris currently traces a circle 0.73° in radius around the north celestial pole, so this technique is accurate to within a degree. At high latitudes a <a href="/facts/Plumb-bob/eA2XJ6bp">plumb-bob</a> is helpful to sight Polaris against a reference object close to the horizon, from which its bearing can be taken.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> </p> <h3>Determination from maps</h3> <p>A rough estimate of the local declination (within a few degrees) can be determined from a general isogonic chart of the world or a continent, such as those illustrated above. Isogonic lines are also shown on <a href="/facts/Aeronautical_chart/nATCEf86">aeronautical</a> and <a href="/facts/Nautical_chart/3UQrLQaN">nautical charts</a>. </p><p>Larger-scale local maps may indicate current local declination, often with the aid of a schematic diagram. Unless the area depicted is very small, declination may vary measurably over the extent of the map, so the data may be referred to a specific location on the map. The current rate and direction of change may also be shown, for example in <a href="/facts/Arcminute/tybs6YGC">arcminutes</a> per year. The same diagram may show the angle of <a href="/facts/Grid_north/YyhuUx2f">grid north</a> (the direction of the map's north–south grid lines), which may differ from true north. </p><p>On the <a href="/facts/Topographic_map/sUxP398u">topographic maps</a> of the <a href="/facts/U.S._Geological_Survey/nVaGtMjl">U.S. Geological Survey</a> (USGS), for example, a diagram shows the relationship between magnetic north in the area concerned (with an arrow marked "MN") and true north (a vertical line with a five-pointed star at its top), with a label near the angle between the MN arrow and the vertical line, stating the size of the declination and of that angle, in degrees, <a href="/facts/Angular_mil/vCn6rKUH">mils</a>, or both. However, the diagram itself is not an accurate depiction of the stated numerical declination angle, but is intentionally exaggerated by the cartographer for purposes of legibility. </p> <h3>Models and software</h3> <p class="note">See also: <a href="/facts/Earth%27s_magnetic_field/73G36wmx">Earth's magnetic field § Statistical models</a></p> <p>Worldwide <a href="/facts/Empirical_model/LaHuYUuY">empirical model</a> of the deep flows described above are available for describing and predicting features of the Earth's magnetic field, including the magnetic declination for any given location at any time in a given timespan. One such model is <a href="/facts/World_Magnetic_Model/3U4l7r44">World Magnetic Model</a> (WMM) of the US and UK. It is built with all the information available to the map-makers at the start of the five-year period it is prepared for. It reflects a highly predictable rate of change,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> and is usually more accurate than a map—which is likely months or years out of date. For historical data, the IGRF and GUFM models may be used. Tools for using such models include: </p> <ul><li>Web apps hosted by the <a href="/facts/National_Geophysical_Data_Center/bDnYuohf">National Geophysical Data Center</a>, a division of the <a href="/facts/National_Oceanic_and_Atmospheric_Administration/IvcuqNJg">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> of the United States.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a></li> <li>C demo program that for WMM by the <a href="/facts/National_Geospatial-Intelligence_Agency/DrC6QGyo">National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency</a>, along with various other third-party implementations.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a></li></ul> <p>The WMM, IGRF, and GUFM models only describe the magnetic field as emitted at the core-mantle boundary. In practice, the magnetic field is also distorted by the Earth crust, the distortion being <a href="/facts/Magnetic_anomaly/a9K42q7Q">magnetic anomaly</a>. For more precise estimates, a larger crust-aware model such as the <a href="/facts/Enhanced_Magnetic_Model/3U4l7r44">Enhanced Magnetic Model</a> may be used. (See cited page for a comparison of declination contours.)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="compass-declination-adjustment">Compass Declination Adjustment</h2> <h3>Rotating dial compasses</h3> <p>A magnetic compass points to magnetic north, not geographic (true) north. Compasses of the style commonly used for hiking (i.e., baseplate or protractor compass) utilize a dial or <a href="/facts/Bezel_setting/ersgDBfC">bezel</a> which rotates 360 degrees and is independent of the magnetic needle. To manually establish a declination for true north, the bezel is rotated until the desired number of degrees lie between the bezel's designation N (for North) and the direction (east or west) of magnetic north indicated by the polarized tip of the needle (usually painted red). The entire compass is then rotated until the magnetic needle lies within the outlined orienting arrow or box on the bottom of the capsule, and the course heading (in degrees) is displayed at the base of the direction-of-travel arrow on the baseplate. A compass thus adjusted provides a course bearing in relation to true north instead of magnetic north as long as it remains within an area on the same isogonic line. </p><p>In the image at the right, the bezel's N has been aligned with the direction indicated by the magnetic end of the compass needle, adjusted for local declination (10 degrees west of magnetic north). The direction-of-travel arrow on the baseplate thus reflects a true north heading. </p> <p>After determining local declination, a rotating dial compass may be altered to give true north readings by taping or painting a small delta-point or arrowhead on the compass baseplate west or east of magnetic north pointing to true north on the compass bezel. Other compasses of this design utilize an adjustable declination mechanism integrated with the compass bezel, resulting in true north readings each time the needle is aligned with the orienting arrow. </p> <h3>Floating magnetic card compasses </h3> <p>Compasses that utilize a floating magnetized dial or card are commonly found in marine compasses and in certain models used for land navigation that feature a <a href="/facts/Lensatic_compas/86MaeFXu">lensatic</a> or <a href="/facts/Prismatic/eodBFF70">prismatic</a> sighting system. A floating card compass always gives bearings in relation to magnetic north and cannot be adjusted for declination. True north must be computed by adding or subtracting local magnetic declination. The example on the left demonstrates a typical conversion of a magnetic bearing from a floating card compass to a true bearing by <i>adding</i> the magnetic declination. The declination in the example is 14°E (+14°). If, instead, the declination was 14°W (−14°), you would still “add” it to the magnetic bearing to obtain the true bearing: 40°+ (−14°) = 26°. </p><p>Conversely, local declination is <i>subtracted</i> from a true bearing to obtain a magnetic bearing. With a local declination of 14°E, a true bearing (i.e. obtained from a map) of 54° is converted to a magnetic bearing (for use in the field) by subtracting declination: 54° – 14° = 40°. If the local declination was 14°W (−14°), it is again subtracted from the true bearing to obtain a magnetic bearing: 54°- (−14°) = 68°. </p> <h2 id="navigation">Navigation</h2> <p>On aircraft or vessels there are three types of <a href="/facts/Bearing_(navigation)/rE84IorW">bearing</a>: true, magnetic, and compass bearing. Compass error is divided into two parts, namely magnetic variation and <a href="/facts/Magnetic_deviation/SG3uGQXv">magnetic deviation</a>, the latter originating from magnetic properties of the vessel or aircraft. Variation and deviation are signed quantities. As discussed above, positive (easterly) <i>variation</i> indicates that magnetic north is east of geographic north. Likewise, positive (easterly) <i>deviation</i> indicates that the compass needle is east of magnetic north.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> </p><p>Compass, magnetic and true bearings are related by: </p><p> T = M + V M = C + D {\displaystyle {\begin{aligned}T&=M+V\\M&=C+D\end{aligned}}} </p><p>The general equation relating compass and true bearings is </p><p> T = C + D + V {\displaystyle T=C+D+V} </p><p>Where: </p> <ul><li> C {\displaystyle C} is Compass bearing</li> <li> M {\displaystyle M} is Magnetic bearing</li> <li> T {\displaystyle T} is True bearing</li> <li> V {\displaystyle V} is magnetic Variation</li> <li> D {\displaystyle D} is compass Deviation</li> <li> V < 0 , D < 0 {\displaystyle V<0,D<0} for westerly Variation and Deviation</li> <li> V > 0 , D > 0 {\displaystyle V>0,D>0} for easterly Variation and Deviation</li></ul> <p>For example, if the compass reads 32°, the local magnetic variation is −5.5° (i.e. West) and the deviation is 0.5° (i.e. East), the true bearing will be: </p><p> T = 32 ∘ + ( − 5.5 ∘ ) + 0.5 ∘ = 27 ∘ {\displaystyle T=32^{\circ }+(-5.5^{\circ })+0.5^{\circ }=27^{\circ }} </p><p>To calculate true bearing from compass bearing (and known deviation and variation): </p> <ul><li>Compass bearing + deviation = magnetic bearing</li> <li>Magnetic bearing + variation = true bearing</li></ul> <p>To calculate compass bearing from true bearing (and known deviation and variation): </p> <ul><li>True bearing - variation = Magnetic bearing</li> <li>Magnetic bearing - deviation = Compass bearing</li></ul> <p>These rules are often combined with the mnemonic "West is best, East is least"; that is to say, add W declinations when going from True bearings to Magnetic bearings, and subtract E ones. </p><p>Another simple way to remember which way to apply the correction for continental USA is: </p> <ul><li>For locations east of the agonic line (zero declination), roughly east of the Mississippi: the magnetic bearing is always bigger.</li> <li>For locations west of the agonic line (zero declination), roughly west of the Mississippi: the magnetic bearing is always smaller.</li></ul> <p>Common abbreviations are: </p> <ul><li>TC = true course;</li> <li>V = variation (of the Earth's magnetic field);</li> <li>MC = magnetic course (what the course would be in the absence of local deviation);</li> <li>D = deviation caused by magnetic material (mostly iron and steel) on the vessel;</li> <li>CC = compass course.</li></ul> <h3>Deviation</h3> <p><a href="/facts/Magnetic_deviation/SG3uGQXv">Magnetic deviation</a> is the angle from a given magnetic bearing to the related bearing mark of the compass. Deviation is positive if a compass bearing mark (e.g., compass north) is right of the related magnetic bearing (e.g., magnetic north) and vice versa. For example, if the boat is aligned to magnetic north and the compass' north mark points 3° more east, deviation is +3°. Deviation varies for every compass in the same location and depends on such factors as the magnetic field of the vessel, wristwatches, etc. The value also varies depending on the orientation of the boat. Magnets and/or iron masses can correct for deviation, so that a particular compass accurately displays magnetic bearings. More commonly, however, a correction card lists errors for the compass, which can then be compensated for arithmetically. Deviation must be added to compass bearing to obtain magnetic bearing. </p> <h3>Air navigation</h3> <p>Air navigation is based on magnetic directions thus it is necessary to periodically revise navigational aids to reflect the drift in magnetic declination over time. This requirement applies to <a href="/facts/VHF_omnidirectional_range/XV2txX9M">VOR</a> beacons, <a href="/facts/Runway/EYy72SPJ">runway</a> numbering, <a href="/facts/Airway_(aviation)/aQgk7LDK">airway</a> labeling, and <a href="/facts/Aircraft_vectoring/8Yo0B0cz">aircraft vectoring</a> directions given by <a href="/facts/Air_traffic_control/G2cQebVb">air traffic control</a>, all of which are based on magnetic direction. </p><p><a href="/facts/Runway/EYy72SPJ">Runways</a> are designated by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth of the magnetic <a href="/facts/Azimuth/kEyt9nJ3">azimuth</a> of the runway's <a href="/facts/Course_(navigation)/CWexuXNF">heading</a>: a runway numbered 09 points east (90°), runway 18 is south (180°), runway 27 points west (270°) and runway 36 points to the north (360° rather than 0°).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> However, due to magnetic declination, changes in runway designators have to occur at times to keep their designation in line with the runway's magnetic heading. An exception is made for runways within the <a href="/facts/Northern_Domestic_Airspace/pKUFDRjK">Northern Domestic Airspace</a> of Canada; these are numbered relative to true north because proximity to the magnetic North Pole makes the magnetic declination large and changes in it happen at a high pace. </p><p>Radionavigation aids located on the ground, such as <a href="/facts/VHF_omnidirectional_range/XV2txX9M">VORs</a>, are also checked and updated to keep them aligned with magnetic north to allow pilots to use their magnetic compasses for accurate and reliable in-plane navigation. </p><p>For simplicity aviation sectional charts are drawn using true north so the entire chart need not be rotated as magnetic declination changes. Instead individual printed elements on the chart (such as VOR compass roses) are updated with each revision of the chart to reflect changes in magnetic declination. For an example refer to the sectional chart slightly west of <a href="/facts/Winston-Salem,_North_Carolina/5LVtdGNa">Winston-Salem, North Carolina</a> in March 2021, magnetic north is 8 degrees west of true north (<a href="http://www.iFlightPlanner.com/AviationCharts/?Map=sectional&GS=115&Route=KINT">Note the dashed line marked 8°W</a>).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> </p><p>When plotting a course, some small aircraft pilots may plot a trip using true north on a sectional chart (map), then convert the true north bearings to magnetic north for in-plane navigation using the magnetic compass. These bearings are then converted on a pre-flight plan by adding or subtracting the local variation displayed on a sectional chart. </p><p><a href="/facts/Global_positioning_system/DKVLnzF3">GPS</a> systems used for aircraft navigation also display directions in terms of magnetic north even though their intrinsic coordinate system is based on true north. This is accomplished by means of lookup tables inside the GPS which account for magnetic declination. If flying under <a href="/facts/Visual_flight_rules/aKWINP27">visual flight rules</a> it is acceptable to fly with an outdated GPS declination database however if flying <a href="/facts/Instrument_flight_rules/RPfLUgbe">IFR</a> the database must be updated every 28 days per FAA regulation. </p><p>As a fail-safe even the most advanced airliner will still have a magnetic compass in the cockpit. When onboard electronics fail, pilots can still rely on paper charts and the ancient and highly reliable device—the magnetic compass. </p> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://geomag.usgs.gov">USGS Geomagnetism Program</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.magnetic-declination.com">Looks up your IP address location and tells you your declination.</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag-web/#declination">Online declination calculator at the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC)</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag-web/#igrfwmm">Online declination and field strength calculator at the NGDC</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag-web/calculators/mobileDeclination">Mobile web-app for magnetic declination at the NGDC</a></li> <li><a href="http://maps.ngdc.noaa.gov/viewers/historical_declination/">Historical magnetic declination viewer at the NGDC</a></li> <li><a href="http://geomag.nrcan.gc.ca/apps/mdcal-eng.php">Magnetic declination calculator at Natural Resources Canada</a>[<i>permanent dead link</i>]</li> <li><a href="http://geomag.org/models/WMM/WMMGSpreadsheet.htm">A Google spreadsheet application to bulk calculate magnetic declination</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/WMM/soft.shtml">World Magnetic Model source code download site</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Bowditch, Nathaniel (2002). American Practical Navigator. Paradise Cay Publications. p. 849. ISBN 9780939837540. <a href="9780939837540" target="_blank">9780939837540</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Find the magnetic declination at your location". Magnetic-Declination.com. Retrieved 6 December 2013. <a href="http://www.magnetic-declination.com/" target="_blank">http://www.magnetic-declination.com/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"World Magnetic Model - Epoch 2020 -Declination" (PDF). <a href="https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/WMM/data/WMM2020/WMM2020_D_BoZ_MILL.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/WMM/data/WMM2020/WMM2020_D_BoZ_MILL.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Government of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. "Magnetic declination". www.geomag.nrcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2021-09-30. <a href="https://www.geomag.nrcan.gc.ca/mag_fld/magdec-en.php" target="_blank">https://www.geomag.nrcan.gc.ca/mag_fld/magdec-en.php</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Magnetic declination, what it is, how to compensate., archived from the original on 2010-01-07, retrieved 2010-03-03 <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100107205605/http://earthsci.org/education/fieldsk/declin.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20100107205605/http://earthsci.org/education/fieldsk/declin.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>This rate of change is known as the geomagnetic secular variation, and current models using a constant variation over five-year periods are on average (root mean square) off by 15 arcminutes at the end of each forecast.[6] <a href="/wiki/Geomagnetic_secular_variation" target="_blank">/wiki/Geomagnetic_secular_variation</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"Estimated Value of Magnetic Declination". Geomagnetism. NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. Retrieved 6 December 2013. <a href="http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag-web/#declination" target="_blank">http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag-web/#declination</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Meyer, Brian (8 February 2022). "World Magnetic Model - Software Download". www.ngdc.noaa.gov. <a href="https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/WMM/soft.shtml" target="_blank">https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/WMM/soft.shtml</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) (10 March 2022). "Enhanced Magnetic Model (EMM)". www.ngdc.noaa.gov. <a href="https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/EMM/" target="_blank">https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/EMM/</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Willemsen, Diederik. "Compass navigation". SailingIssues. Retrieved 4 January 2020. <a href="https://www.sailingissues.com/navcourse3.html" target="_blank">https://www.sailingissues.com/navcourse3.html</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Federal Aviation Administration Aeronautical Information Manual, Chapter 2, Section 3 Airport Marking Aids and Signs part 3b Archived 2012-01-18 at the Wayback Machine <a href="http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/ATpubs/AIM/Chap2/aim0203.html" target="_blank">http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/ATpubs/AIM/Chap2/aim0203.html</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>See also CUNY <a href="http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/geology/leveson/core/linksa/magnetic.html" target="_blank">http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/geology/leveson/core/linksa/magnetic.html</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>