magnetic declination

noun

the angle that a compass needle makes with the direction of the geographical north pole at any given point on the earth's surface Also calleddeclinationmagnetic variation

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

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

In 1851 Lament, a Scotchman at Munich, found a decennial period in the daily range of magnetic declination.

This magnetic declination sorely perplexed Gilbert, as it did not fit in with his theory.

Shortly after the voyage of Columbus it was thought that the longitude of a place could be found from its magnetic declination.

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

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