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Declination And Inclination
There are two natural phenomena which always have to be taken into account
when working with a compass.
DECLINATION
The earth is like a huge magnet with two poles, North and South. As a
result this polarity, the red end of the RECTA compass needle will always
point to the north magnetic pole, which is not the same as the geographic
(true) North pole. This angle between the geographical (true) North pole
and the north magnetic pole is called DECLINATION. Most RECTA compasses
are equipped with a fixed or adjustable declination correction.
To check the local need to adjust declination online, please visit
National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) website.
INCLINATION
The vertical intensity and direction of earth’s magnetic field, the
INCLINATION, influences the horizontal plane of a compass needle according
to the latitude where it is used. Due to inclination, compasses must be
balanced for several zones in order to keep the needle in a horizontal
position. RECTA’s engineers were not satisfied with this multibalancing
solution, and developed the famous patented “RECTA Global System” –
one compass that works perfectly all over the world and is the ideal
compass for globetrotters. |
TRADITIONAL COMPASS NEEDLE
1. The needle swings; the tip touches the capsule base.
3. In these latitudes, the classic compass needle remains
horizontal
5. The needle swings; the tip touches the capsule glass.
Deviation
Deviation is a local magnetic field produced by e.g. the presence of steel
or current carrying wires. If this local magnetic field is stronger than a
magnetic field of the earth, compass bearings can be effected and may not
be accurate at all. This is why a compass might not work properly inside a
car. In fact, strong magnetic fields could even reverse the polarity of the
needle.
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GLOBAL SYSTEM NEEDLE
2. With the GLOBAL SYSTEM the needle remains absolutely
horizontal.
4. With the GLOBAL SYSTEM the needle remains absolutely
horizontal.
6. With the GLOBAL SYSTEM the needle remains absolutely
horizontal.
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