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

See Examples For:

magnetic equator

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

Thus a physicist traveling away from the magnetic equator should be able to detect one by one the appearance of new bands of cosmic energy as the earth's resistance weakens.

From Time Magazine Archive

On the northern side of the magnetic equator, where the same atmospheric force lines dive into the atmosphere, parts of Alaska saw the northern version of New Zealand's aurora.

From Time Magazine Archive

At the magnetic equator there is no dip at all, because the needle being equally distant from the north and south magnetic poles, remains horizontal.

From The Giant of the North Pokings Round the Pole by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne