magnetic variation

British  

noun

1. another name for magnetic declination

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Example Sentences

Hailey’s isogonic map of magnetic variation, published in 1701.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Hailey had conducted two expeditions to make the measurements on which the map was based, and the hope was that this would open the way to using magnetic variation to measure longitude.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Each line on the map is like a contour line but, instead of marking a uniform measurement of height, it marks a uniform measurement of magnetic variation.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

One chest contained a sextant, a dipping-needle, an apparatus to determine the magnetic variation, a few thermometers, and Saussure's hygrometer.

From Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 1 by Ross, Thomasina

Latitude, 9° 57' 11" south; longitude, 75° 2' west of Greenwich; magnetic variation, 8° 35' 36" east; elevation above the sea-level, 630 feet; distance from the Atlantic, 3100 miles; current, 2-1/2 miles per hour.

From Life of Rear Admiral John Randolph Tucker by Rochelle, James Henry