magnetic declination

British  

noun

1. Also called: declination.   magnetic variation.  the angle that a compass needle makes with the direction of the geographical north pole at any given point on the earth's surface

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magnetic declination Scientific  

1. The horizontal angle between the true geographic North Pole and the magnetic north pole, as figured from a specific point on the Earth.

2. Compare magnetic inclination

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Example Sentences

There was nothing to do but use the three-inch theodolite, which, setting to one degree, would give a good result, with a mean of thirty-two settings, for a region with such variable magnetic declination.

From The Home of the Blizzard Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914 by Mawson, Douglas, Sir

If there is a true meridian on the map, but not a magnetic meridian, one may be constructed as follows, if the magnetic declination is known: Fig.

From Manual of Military Training Second, Revised Edition by Moss, James A. (James Alfred)

A time-shot was successful, and observations were also taken for magnetic declination.

From The Home of the Blizzard Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914 by Mawson, Douglas, Sir

Webb at once proceeded to take full magnetic declination, time and azimuth observations, Laseron recording for him.

From The Home of the Blizzard Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914 by Mawson, Douglas, Sir

Now, here is what we know with most certainty as to the magnetic declination of Paris at the epoch in question: Years.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 810, July 11, 1891 by Various