Should I use true north or Magnetic North?

As it turns, Magnetic North is much more important than True North. The Magnetic North pole is also known as a “dip pole” and, along with Magnetic South, is where the Earth’s magnetic field is at its weakest.

What is the angle difference between true north and Magnetic North?

How do the norths align? Magnetic north and geographic north align when the so-called “angle of declination,” the difference between the two norths at a particular location, is 0°. Declination is the angle in the horizontal plane between magnetic north and geographic north.

What does a Magnetic North direction on a map show?

True north, also called geodetic north or geographic north, is the direction of the line of longitude that bisects the quadrangle. All longitude lines converge to points at the north and south poles. Magnetic north (MN) shows the direction a magnetic compass would point at the time the map was published.

How do you read magnetic declination on a map?

In North America, magnetic declination varies from 30 degrees East in Alaska to 20 degrees West in Labrador, Maine. The degrees of declination for an area are usually located on the bottom margin of the map near the north arrow, or they can be located using a declination chart.

How do you convert true north to Magnetic North?

Thus to convert from a magnetic bearing to a true bearing you would add 17°. The angle measured from the target to Grid North is also larger than the angle measured from the target to Magnetic North. The difference is the 17° angle from True North to Magnetic North less the 1° 33′ angle from True North to Grid North.

How do you convert true north to magnetic north?

The difference is the 8° angle from True North to Magnetic North plus the 0° 23′ angle from True North to Grid North. Thus to convert from a magnetic bearing to a Grid North reference you would subtract 8° 23′.

How far off is true north from magnetic north?

The Geographic North Pole differs from the Magnetic North Pole by about 500 kilometers. The Geographic North Pole is where lines of longitudes converge into what we call the North Pole.

Do maps use true or magnetic north?

All maps are laid out with true north directly at the top. Unfortunately for the wilderness traveler, true north is not at the same point on the earth as the magnetic north Pole which is where your compass points. Magnetic North: Think of the earth as a giant magnet (it is actually).

How do you find true north with magnetic declination?

Adjust for declination. To find true north, turn the bezel the same magnitude and direction as your declination value. Most compasses will have degree markers on the bezel to help you do this. Next, line up your needle and your orienting arrow by turning your body again. You should now be facing true north!