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

If you apply the magnetic declination to that heading, he was walking straight away from magnetic north.

From Nature

He has further applied the method to the study of the variations of the magnetic declination, and of sun-spot records.

From Project Gutenberg

With us the magnetic declination is a minimum at about eight o’clock in the morning, and is greatest at two o’clock in the afternoon.

From Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg