1. What is True North Calculation?

The True North calculation converts magnetic north readings to true north by accounting for magnetic declination, which is the angle between magnetic north and true north at a particular location.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• Magnetic North — The compass reading in degrees
• Declination — The angular difference between true north and magnetic north at your location

Explanation: Magnetic declination varies by location and changes over time due to shifts in Earth's magnetic field.

3. Importance of True North Calculation

Details: Accurate true north calculation is essential for navigation, surveying, map reading, and any application requiring precise directional information.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter magnetic north reading from your compass in degrees and the local magnetic declination (which can be found on topographic maps or from online calculators). Both values can be positive or negative.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I find my local magnetic declination?
A: Use online tools from NOAA or other geomagnetic services, or check current topographic maps for your area.

Q2: Does declination change over time?
A: Yes, Earth's magnetic field changes gradually, so declination values should be updated periodically.

Q3: What's the difference between east and west declination?
A: East declination means magnetic north is east of true north (positive value), west means it's west (negative value).

Q4: How important is this for navigation?
A: Critical for precise navigation - ignoring declination can result in significant directional errors over long distances.

Q5: Can I use this for celestial navigation?
A: Celestial navigation typically works with true directions, so compass readings must be corrected for declination.