magnetic equator

American  

noun

1. aclinic line.

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magnetic equator British  

noun

1. Also called: aclinic line.  an imaginary line on the earth's surface, near the equator, at all points on which there is no magnetic dip

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magnetic equator Scientific  

1. A line connecting all points on the earth's surface at which the magnetic field is parallel to the Earth's surface. A balanced magnetic needle on the magnetic equator stabilizes in a perfectly horizontal position.

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Etymology

Origin of magnetic equator

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

A colleague in New Zealand says he is ready to replicate the experiment in the Southern Hemisphere, and Kirschvink wants money for a traveling Faraday cage that he could take to the magnetic equator.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 23, 2016

On the way, Humboldt discovers the magnetic equator, collects Aztec manuscripts, and makes drawings of Inca monuments.

From National Geographic • Sep. 13, 2015

When passing above the magnetic equator, their spirals open out until their paths are almost straight along the magnetic lines of force.

From Time Magazine Archive

In latitude, it extends 1,800 miles north and south of the magnetic equator.

From Time Magazine Archive

Duperrey on the configuration of the magnetic equator, 183; pendulum oscillations, 166.

From COSMOS: A Sketch of the Physical Description of the Universe, Vol. 1 by Humboldt, Alexander von