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{{short description|Instrument used for navigation and orientation}}
{{About|the direction finding instrument used in navigation}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
[[File:2016 Busola.JPG|thumb|upright=1.5|alt=compass with a slit at cover and looking hole|A modern military compass, with included [[Sight (device)|sight device]] for aligning]]A '''compass''' is a device that shows the [[cardinal direction]]s used for [[navigation]] and geographic orientation. It commonly consists of a magnetized needle or other element, such as a compass card or [[compass rose]], which can pivot to align itself with [[North magnetic pole|magnetic north]]. Other methods may be used, including gyroscopes, [[magnetometer]]s, and [[GPS]] receivers.

Compasses often show angles in degrees: north corresponds to 0°, and the angles increase [[clockwise]], so east is 90°, south is 180°, and west is 270°. These numbers allow the compass to show [[azimuth]]s or [[bearing (angle)|bearings]] which are commonly stated in degrees. If local [[magnetic declination|variation]] between magnetic north and [[true north]] is known, then direction of magnetic north also gives direction of true north.

Among the [[Four Great Inventions]], the magnetic compass was first invented as a device for [[divination]] as early as the [[history of science and technology in China|Chinese]] [[Han dynasty]] (since c. 206 BC),<ref name="Li Shu-hua, p. 176">[[#Li|Li Shu-hua]], p. 176</ref><ref name="cambridge1" /> and later adopted for navigation by the [[Song dynasty]] Chinese during the 11th century.<ref name="Barbara M. Kreutz 367">[[#Kreutz|Kreutz]], p. 367</ref><ref name="needham volume 4 part 1 252"/><ref name="Li Shu-hua, p. 182f">[[#Li|Li Shu-hua]], p. 182f.</ref> The first usage of a compass recorded in [[Western Europe]] and the [[Islamic world]] occurred around 1190.<ref name="Barbara M. Kreutz 370">[[#Kreutz|Kreutz]], p. 370</ref><ref name=OEPST>{{Cite encyclopedia | publisher = Oxford University Press| isbn = 978-0-19-981257-8| editor= Ibrahim Kalin | last = Schmidl | first = Petra G. | title = Compass | encyclopedia = The Oxford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Science, and Technology in Islam| date = 2014| pages=144–146}}</ref>

The magnetic compass is the most familiar compass type. It functions as a pointer to "[[Magnetic declination|magnetic north]]", the local magnetic meridian, because the [[magnetize]]d needle at its heart aligns itself with the horizontal component of the [[Earth's magnetic field]]. The [[magnetic field]] exerts a [[torque]] on the needle, pulling the North end or ''pole'' of the needle approximately toward the Earth's [[North magnetic pole]], and pulling the other toward the Earth's [[South magnetic pole]].<ref>The magnetic lines of force in the Earth's field do not accurately follow great circles around the planet, passing exactly over the magnetic poles. Therefore the needle of a compass only approximately points to the magnetic poles.</ref> The needle is mounted on a low-friction pivot point, in better compasses a [[jewel bearing]], so it can turn easily. When the compass is held level, the needle turns until, after a few seconds to allow oscillations to die out, it settles into its equilibrium orientation.

In navigation, directions on maps are usually expressed with reference to geographical or [[true north]], the direction toward the [[Geographical North Pole]], the rotation axis of the Earth. Depending on where the compass is located on the surface of the Earth the angle between [[true north]] and [[magnetic north]], called [[magnetic declination]] can vary widely with geographic location. The local magnetic declination is given on most maps, to allow the map to be oriented with a compass parallel to true north. The locations of the Earth's magnetic poles slowly change with time, which is referred to as [[geomagnetic secular variation]]. The effect of this means a map with the latest declination information should be used.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/compass-declination.html |title=Declination Adjustment on a Compass  |website=Rei.com |access-date=2015-06-06}}</ref> Some magnetic compasses include means to manually compensate for the magnetic declination, so that the compass shows true directions.

== History ==
{{Main|History of the compass}}
===Natural magnet===
One of the earliest known references to lodestone's magnetic properties was made by 6th century BC Greek philosopher [[Thales of Miletus]],<ref>{{cite web | last = Brand | first = Mike | author2 = Sharon Neaves | author3 = Emily Smith | title = Lodestone | work = Museum of Electricity and Magnetism, Mag Lab U | publisher = US National High Magnetic Field Laboratory | year = 1995 | url = http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/museum/lodestone.html | access-date = 2009-06-21 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090501063207/http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/education/tutorials/museum/lodestone.html | archive-date = 2009-05-01 | url-status = dead }}</ref> whom the ancient Greeks credited with discovering lodestone's attraction to iron and other lodestones.<ref>{{cite book | last = Keithley | first = Joseph F. | title = The Story of Electrical and Magnetic Measurements: From 500 B.C. to the 1940s | publisher = John Wiley and Sons | year = 1999 | pages = 2 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=uwgNAtqSHuQC | isbn = 0-7803-1193-0}}</ref> The name ''[[magnet]]'' may come from lodestones found in [[Magnesia ad Sipylum|Magnesia]], [[Anatolia]].<ref>The [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] term μαγνῆτις λίθος ''magnētis lithos'' (see [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_BkS2KW7u76MC ''Platonis Opera''], Meyer and Zeller, 1839, p. 989) means "Magnesian stone". It is uncertain whether the adjective μαγνῆτις "of Magnesia" should be taken to refer to the city ''Magnesia ad Sipylum'' in [[Lydia]] (modern-day [[Manisa, Turkey]]) or after the Greek region of [[Magnesia (regional unit)|Magnesia]] itself (whence came the colonist who founded the Lydian city); see, for example, {{cite web|url=http://www.languagehat.com/archives/001914.php |title=Magnet |work=Language Hat blog |date=28 May 2005 |access-date = 22 March 2013}} See also: Paul Hewitt, ''Conceptual Physics''. 10th ed. (2006), p. 458.</ref> The [[History of India|ancient Indian]] medical text ''[[Sushruta Samhita]]'' describes using magnetic properties of the lodestone to remove arrows embedded in a person's body.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

<!-- The following is partly identical to [[Magnetism#History]] -->
The earliest Chinese literary reference to magnetism occurs in the 4th-century BC ''Book of the Devil Valley Master'' (''[[Guiguzi]]'').<ref>The section "Fanying 2" ([[:s:鬼谷子|反應第二]]) of ''The [[Guiguzi]]'': "{{lang|zh|其察言也，不失若磁石之取鍼，舌之取燔骨}}".</ref>
In the chronicle ''[[Lüshi Chunqiu]]'', from the 2nd century BC, it is explicitly stated that "the lodestone makes [[iron]] come or it attracts it."<ref>{{Cite book |title=Encyclopedia of Chinese History |last= Dillon |first= Michael |publisher= Routledge |year=2017 |isbn=978-0415426992 |pages=98}}</ref><ref name=Li54>{{cite journal |last=Li |first=Shu-hua |title=Origine de la Boussole II. Aimant et Boussole |journal=Isis |volume=45 |number=2 |year=1954 |pages=175–196|jstor=227361|doi=10.1086/348315|s2cid=143585290 | quote = un passage dans le ''[[Lüshi Chunqiu|Liu-che-tch'ouen-ts'ieou]]'' [...]: “La pierre d'aimant fait venir le fer ou elle l'attire.” | language = fr}}<br /> From the section "''Jingtong''" ({{lang|zh|精通}}) of the "Almanac of the Last Autumn Month" ({{lang|zh|季秋紀}}): "{{lang|zh|慈石召鐵，或引之也}}]"</ref>

===Artificial compass===
[[File:Model Si Nan of Han Dynasty.jpg|thumb|Model of a lodestone compass from [[Han dynasty]]]]
Some claims state that the first compasses in ancient [[Han dynasty]] China were made of [[lodestone]], a naturally magnetized ore of iron.<ref name="cambridge1">{{cite book |last=Lowrie |first=William |url=https://archive.org/details/fundamentalsgeop00will |title=Fundamentals of Geophysics |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-521-67596-3 |edition=2nd |location=London |pages=[https://archive.org/details/fundamentalsgeop00will/page/n290 281] |quote=Early in the Han dynasty, between 300 and 200 BC, the Chinese fashioned a rudimentary compass out of lodestone&nbsp;... This compass may have been used in the search for gems and in the selection of sites for houses&nbsp;... Their directive power led to the use of compasses for navigation... |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="guarnieri 7-1">{{Cite journal|last=Guarnieri|first=M.|year=2014|title=Once Upon a Time, the Compass|journal=IEEE Industrial Electronics Magazine|volume=8|issue=2|pages=60–63|doi=10.1109/MIE.2014.2316044|s2cid=11949042}}</ref> The earliest mention of a needle's attraction appears in a work composed between 20 and 100 AD, the ''[[Lunheng]]'' (''Balanced Inquiries''): "A lodestone attracts a needle."<ref>In the section "[https://archive.org/stream/lunheng02wang#page/350/mode/1up A Last Word on Dragons]" ({{lang|zh|亂龍篇}} ''Luanlong'') of the ''[[Lunheng]]'': "[[Amber]] takes up straws, and a load-stone attracts needles" ({{lang|zh|頓牟掇芥，磁石引針}}).</ref> In the 2nd century BC, Chinese [[Geomancy|geomancers]] were experimenting with the magnetic properties of lodestone to make a "south-pointing spoon" for divination. When it is placed on a smooth bronze plate, the spoon would invariably rotate to a north–south axis.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Echoes from Old China: Life, Legends, and Lore of the Middle Kingdom |last=Tom |first=K. S. |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |year=1989 |pages=108}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Chinese Fans: Artistry and Aesthetics  |last= Qian  |first= Gonglin |publisher=Long River Press |year=2000 |isbn= 978-1592650200 |pages=98}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=The History of China: (The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations) |last=Curtis Wright  |first=David |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year=2001 |pages=42}}</ref> While this has been shown to work, archaeologists have yet to discover an actual spoon made of magnetite in a Han tomb.<ref>Joseph Needham, ''Clerks and Craftsmen in China and the West: Lectures and Addresses on the History of Science and Technology''. Cambridge: University Press, 1970, p. 241.</ref>

The wet compass reached [[South India|Southern India]] in the 4th century AD.<ref>{{cite book |title=Encyclopaedia of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures |publisher=Springer |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-4020-4559-2 |editor=Helaine Selin |page=197}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HUAPAAAAIAAJ&q=%22matsya+yantra%22 |title=The American Journal of Science |year=1919 |accessdate=2009-06-30}}</ref> Later compasses were made of iron needles, magnetized by striking them with a lodestone, which appeared in China by 1088 during the [[Song dynasty]], [[Dream Pool Essays|as described]] by [[Shen Kuo]].<ref name=merrill>{{cite book|last=Merrill|first=Ronald T.|title=The Earth's magnetic field: Its history, origin and planetary perspective|year=1983|publisher=Academic press|location=San Francisco|isbn=978-0-12-491242-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/earthsmagneticfi00merr/page/1 1]|edition=2nd printing|author2=McElhinny, Michael W.|url=https://archive.org/details/earthsmagneticfi00merr/page/1}}</ref> Dry compasses began to appear around 1300 in [[Medieval Europe]] and the [[Islamic world]].<ref name="Lane, p. 615"/><ref name=OEPST /> This was supplanted in the early 20th century by the liquid-filled magnetic compass.<ref name="W. H. Creak 238-239">{{cite journal|author=Creak, W.H. |title=The History of the Liquid Compass|journal=The Geographical Journal|volume=56|issue=3 |year=1920|pages=238–239|doi=10.2307/1781554|jstor=1781554|bibcode=1920GeogJ..56..238C }}</ref>

== Design ==
[[File:walkers compass arp.jpg|thumb|upright|A liquid-filled protractor or orienteering compass with lanyard]]

Modern compasses usually use a magnetized needle or dial inside a capsule completely filled with a liquid (lamp oil, mineral oil, white spirits, purified kerosene, or ethyl alcohol are common). While older designs commonly incorporated a flexible rubber diaphragm or airspace inside the capsule to allow for volume changes caused by temperature or altitude, some modern liquid compasses use smaller housings and/or flexible capsule materials to accomplish the same result.<ref>''Gear Review: Kasper & Richter Alpin Compass'', OceanMountainSky.Com</ref> The liquid inside the capsule serves to damp the movement of the needle, reducing oscillation time and increasing stability. Key points on the compass, including the north end of the needle are often marked with [[phosphorescent paint|phosphorescent]], [[photoluminescent]], or self-luminous materials<ref>Nemoto & Co. Ltd., [http://www.nemoto.co.jp/en/products/luminova/luminova.html Article] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205120711/http://www.nemoto.co.jp/en/products/luminova/luminova.html |date=2008-12-05 }}: In addition to ordinary phosphorescent luminous paint ([[zinc sulfide]]), brighter photoluminescent coatings which include radioactive [[isotope]]s such as [[Strontium-90]], usually in the form of [[strontium aluminate]], or [[tritium]], which is a radioactive isotope of [[hydrogen]] are now being used on modern compasses. Tritium has the advantage that its radiation has such low energy that it cannot penetrate a compass housing.</ref> to enable the compass to be read at night or in poor light. As the compass fill liquid is noncompressible under pressure, many ordinary liquid-filled compasses will operate accurately underwater to considerable depths.

Many modern compasses incorporate a baseplate and [[protractor]] tool, and are referred to variously as "[[orienteering]]", "baseplate", "map compass" or "protractor" designs. This type of compass uses a separate magnetized needle inside a rotating capsule, an orienting "box" or gate for aligning the needle with magnetic north, a transparent base containing map orienting lines, and a bezel (outer dial) marked in degrees or other units of angular measurement.<ref name=des110>[[#Johnson|Johnson]], p. 110</ref> The capsule is mounted in a transparent baseplate containing a ''direction-of-travel'' (DOT) indicator for use in taking bearings directly from a map.<ref name=des110 />

[[File:Cammenga-lensatic-compass-model-27.jpg|thumb|left|Cammenga air filled lensatic compass]]

Other features found on modern orienteering compasses are map and [[Romer (tool)|romer]] scales for measuring distances and plotting positions on maps, luminous markings on the face or bezels, various [[sighting compass|sighting mechanisms]] (mirror, prism, etc.) for taking bearings of distant objects with greater precision, gimbal-mounted, "global" needles for use in differing hemispheres, special rare-earth magnets to stabilize compass needles, adjustable declination for obtaining instant true bearings without resorting to arithmetic, and devices such as [[inclinometer]]s for measuring gradients.<ref name=des110111>[[#Johnson|Johnson]], pp. 110–111</ref> The sport of orienteering has also resulted in the development of models with extremely fast-settling and stable needles utilizing rare-earth magnets for optimal use with a [[topographic map]], a land navigation technique known as ''terrain association''.<ref>Kjernsmo, Kjetil, ''[http://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/buying.html How to use a Compass]'', retrieved 8 April 2012 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302170651/https://www.learn-orienteering.org/old/buying.html |date=2 March 2020 }}</ref> Many marine compasses designed for use on boats with constantly shifting angles use dampening fluids such as [[isopar M]] or [[isopar L]] to limit the rapid fluctuation and direction of the needle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eastmarineasia.com/products/ritchie-compass-fluid|title=Ritchie Compass Fluid|work=EastMarineAsia.com}}</ref>

The military forces of a few nations, notably the United States Army, continue to issue field compasses with magnetized compass dials or cards instead of needles. A magnetic card compass is usually equipped with an optical, lensatic, or [[prismatic sight]], which allows the user to read the bearing or azimuth off the compass card while simultaneously aligning the compass with the objective (see photo). Magnetic card compass designs normally require a separate protractor tool in order to take bearings directly from a map.<ref name=des112>[[#Johnson|Johnson]], p. 112</ref><ref>U.S. Army, ''Map Reading and Land Navigation'', FM 21–26, Headquarters, Dept. of the Army, Washington, D.C. (7 May 1993), ch. 11, pp. 1–3: Any 'floating card' type compass with a straightedge or centerline axis can be used to read a map bearing by orienting the map to magnetic north using a drawn magnetic azimuth, but the process is far simpler with a protractor compass.</ref>

The U.S. M-1950 military lensatic compass does not use a liquid-filled capsule as a damping mechanism, but rather [[electromagnetic induction]] to control oscillation of its magnetized card. A "deep-well" design is used to allow the compass to be used globally with a card tilt of up to 8 degrees without impairing accuracy.<ref>''[http://landnavigation.org/Documents/Compass%20Mil%20Specs.pdf Article MIL-PRF-10436N]'', rev. 31 October 2003, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Defense</ref> As induction forces provide less damping than fluid-filled designs, a needle lock is fitted to the compass to reduce wear, operated by the folding action of the rear sight/lens holder. The use of air-filled induction compasses has declined over the years, as they may become inoperative or inaccurate in freezing temperatures or extremely humid environments due to condensation or water ingress.<ref>Kearny, Cresson H., ''Jungle Snafus&nbsp;... And Remedies'', Oregon Institute Press (1996), {{ISBN|1-884067-10-7}}, pp. 164–170: In 1989, one U.S. Army jungle infantry instructor reported that about 20% of the issue lensatic compasses in his company used in a single jungle exercise in [[Panama]] were ruined within three weeks by rain and humidity.</ref>

Some military compasses, like the U.S. M-1950 ([[Cammenga]] 3H) military lensatic compass, the [[Silva compass|Silva 4b ''Militaire'']], and the [[Suunto]] M-5N(T) contain the radioactive material [[tritium]] ({{nuclide|hydrogen|3}}) and a combination of phosphors.<ref>Ministry of Defence, ''Manual of Map Reading and Land Navigation'', HMSO Army Code 70947 (1988), {{ISBN|0-11-772611-7|978-0-11-772611-6}}, ch. 8, sec. 26, pp. 6–7; ch. 12, sec. 39, p. 4</ref> The U.S. M-1950 equipped with self-luminous lighting contains 120 mCi (millicuries) of tritium. The purpose of the tritium and phosphors is to provide [[Illumination (lighting)|illumination]] for the compass, via [[radioluminescence|radioluminescent]] [[tritium illumination]], which does not require the compass to be "recharged" by sunlight or artificial light.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orau.org/health-physics-museum/collection/radioluminescent/military-compass.html |title=Military Compass |publisher=Orau.org |access-date=2021-11-03}}</ref> However, tritium has a [[half-life]] of only about 12 years,<ref>[[CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics]]. p. B247</ref> so a compass that contains 120&nbsp;mCi of tritium when new will contain only 60 when it is 12 years old, 30 when it is 24 years old, and so on. Consequently, the illumination of the display will fade.

Mariners' compasses can have two or more magnets permanently attached to a compass card, which moves freely on a pivot. A ''lubber line'', which can be a marking on the compass bowl or a small fixed needle, indicates the ship's heading on the compass card. Traditionally the card is divided into thirty-two points (known as ''rhumbs''), although modern compasses are marked in degrees rather than cardinal points. The glass-covered box (or bowl) contains a suspended [[gimbal]] within a [[binnacle]]. This preserves the horizontal position.
[[File: CompassWick.jpg|thumb|A Greek maritime liquid compass with an additional wick compartment for illumination.]]
[[File:מצפן.jpg|alt=A close up photo of a geological compass|thumb|A close up photo of a geological compass]]
The magnetic compass is very reliable at moderate latitudes, but in geographic regions near the Earth's magnetic poles it becomes unusable. As the compass is moved closer to one of the magnetic poles, the magnetic declination, the difference between the direction to geographical north and magnetic north, becomes greater and greater. At some point close to the magnetic pole the compass will not indicate any particular direction but will begin to drift. Also, the needle starts to point up or down when getting closer to the poles, because of the so-called [[magnetic inclination]]. Cheap compasses with bad [[bearing (mechanical)|bearings]] may get stuck because of this and therefore indicate a wrong direction.

Magnetic compasses are influenced by any fields other than Earth's. Local environments may contain magnetic mineral deposits and artificial sources such as [[MRI]]s, large iron or steel bodies, electrical engines or strong permanent magnets. Any electrically conductive body produces its own magnetic field when it is carrying an electric current. Magnetic compasses are prone to errors in the neighborhood of such bodies. Some compasses include magnets which can be adjusted to compensate for external magnetic fields, making the compass more reliable and accurate.

{{main|Magnetic dip#Acceleration error}}

A compass is also subject to errors when the compass is accelerated or decelerated in an airplane or automobile. Depending on which of the Earth's hemispheres the compass is located and if the force is acceleration or deceleration the compass will increase or decrease the indicated heading. Compasses that include compensating magnets are especially prone to these errors, since accelerations tilt the needle, bringing it closer or further from the magnets.

{{main|Magnetic dip#Turning error}}

[[File:Northerly and southerly turning errors.png|thumb|The dipping effect causes compass card to lead in a northerly turning error (fig. A) and lag in a southerly turning error (fig. B).<ref>{{Cite PHAK|year=2016|chapter=8|page=26}}</ref>]]

Another error of the mechanical compass is the turning error. When one turns from a heading of east or west the compass will lag behind the turn or lead ahead of the turn. Magnetometers, and substitutes such as gyrocompasses, are more stable in such situations.

== Variants ==
[[File:Compasses orienteering.jpg|thumb|Thumb compass on left]]

A [[thumb compass]] is a type of compass commonly used in [[orienteering]], a sport in which map reading and terrain association are paramount. Consequently, most thumb compasses have minimal or no degree markings at all, and are normally used only to orient the map to magnetic north. An oversized rectangular needle or north indicator aids visibility. Thumb compasses are also often [[transparency (optics)|transparent]] so that an orienteer can hold a [[Orienteering map|map]] in the hand with the compass and see the map through the compass. The best models use rare-earth magnets to reduce needle settling time to 1 second or less.

[[File:Motorola Xoom - AKM Semiconductor AKM8975-1693.jpg|thumb|3-axis electronic magnetometer AKM8975 by [[AKM Semiconductor, Inc.|AKM Semiconductor]]]]

The [[earth inductor compass]] (or "induction compass") determines directions using the principle of [[electromagnetic induction]], with the [[Earth's magnetic field]] acting as the [[Electromagnetic induction|induction field]] for an [[electric generator]], the measurable output of which varies depending on orientation .<ref name="aero-digest">{{Cite journal|last=Goldsborough|first=Brice|date=June 1927|title=The Earth inductor compass|url=http://eaavintage.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/2005-Vol.-33-No.-04-The-Earth-Inductor-Compass.pdf|journal=Aero Digest}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o2I1JWPpdusC&pg=PA370|quote=induction compass|title=Modern dictionary of electronics|isbn=978-0-7506-9866-5|last1=Graf|first1=Rudolf F|year=1999|publisher=Newnes }}</ref>

A vertical card magnetic compass installed in an airplane can eliminate some magnetic dipping errors while making the compass less confusing to read in the cockpit. The compass dial is driven by a set of gears controlled by a magnet mounted on a shaft. [[Eddy current]] induced into a damping cup also helps mitigate magnet oscillation.<ref name="IFH">{{cite book |title=Instrument Flying Handbook |date=2012 |publisher=[[Federal Aviation Administration]] Flight Standards Service  |edition=FAA-H-8083-15B |url=https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/FAA-H-8083-15B.pdf |chapter=Chapter 5. Flight Instruments |pages=15}}</ref>

Small electronic compasses ([[Ecompass|eCompass]]es) found in clocks, [[mobile phone]]s, and other electronic devices are [[Solid-state (electronics)|solid-state]] [[microelectromechanical systems]] (MEMS) compasses, usually built out of two or three [[magnetic field sensors]] that provide data for a microprocessor. Often, the device is a discrete component which outputs either a digital or analog signal proportional to its orientation. This signal is interpreted by a [[microcontroller|controller]] or [[microprocessor]] and either used internally, or sent to a display unit. The sensor uses highly calibrated internal electronics to measure the response of the device to the Earth's magnetic field.

[[File:Brunton.JPG|thumb|A standard Brunton Geo, used commonly by geologists]]

Apart from navigational compasses, other specialty compasses have also been designed to accommodate specific uses. These include:

* The [[Qibla compass]], which is used by Muslims to show the direction to Mecca for prayers.
* The optical or [[prismatic compass]], most often used by surveyors, but also by cave explorers, foresters, and geologists. These compasses generally use a liquid-damped capsule<ref>Kramer, Melvin G., {{US Patent|4175333}}, ''Magnetic Compass'', Riverton, Wyoming: The Brunton Company, pub. 27 November 1979: The ''Brunton Pocket Transit'', which uses magnetic induction damping, is an exception.</ref> and magnetized floating compass dial with an integral optical sight, often fitted with built-in photoluminescent or battery-powered illumination.<ref name=des113114>[[#Johnson|Johnson]], pp.  113–114</ref> Using the optical sight, such compasses can be read with extreme accuracy when taking bearings to an object, often to fractions of a degree. Most of these compasses are designed for heavy-duty use, with high-quality needles and jeweled bearings, and many are fitted for tripod mounting for additional accuracy.<ref name=des113114 />
* The [[trough compass]], mounted in a rectangular box whose length was often several times its width, date back several centuries. They were used for land surveying, particularly with plane tables.
* The [[luopan]], a compass used by feng shui practitioners.

== Construction ==
A magnetic rod is required when constructing a compass. This can be created by aligning an iron or steel rod with Earth's magnetic field and then tempering or striking it. However, this method produces only a weak magnet so other methods are preferred. For example, a magnetised rod can be created by repeatedly rubbing an iron rod with a magnetic [[lodestone]]. This magnetised rod (or magnetic needle) is then placed on a low-friction surface to allow it to freely pivot to align itself with the magnetic field. It is then labeled so the user can distinguish the north-pointing from the south-pointing end; in modern convention the north end is typically marked in some way.

If a needle is rubbed on a [[lodestone]] or other magnet, the needle becomes magnetized. When it is inserted in a cork or piece of wood, and placed in a bowl of water it becomes a compass. Such devices were universally used as compasses until the invention of the box-like compass with a "dry" pivoting needle, sometime around 1300.

{{Main|Points of the compass}}
[[File:Boussole fantassin russe.jpg|thumb|Wrist compass of the Soviet Army with counterclockwise double graduation: 60° (like a watch) and 360°]]
Originally, many compasses were marked only as to the direction of magnetic north, or to the four cardinal points (north, south, east, west). Later, these were divided, in China into 24, and in Europe into 32 equally spaced points around the compass card. For a table of the thirty-two points, see [[points of the compass|compass points]].

In the modern era, the 360-degree system took hold. This system is still in use today for civilian navigators. The degree system spaces 360 equidistant points located clockwise around the compass dial. In the 19th century some European nations adopted the "[[grad (angle)|grad]]" (also called grade or gon) system instead, where a right angle is 100 grads to give a circle of 400 grads. Dividing grads into tenths to give a circle of 4000 [[decigrade]]s has also been used in armies.

Most military forces have adopted the French "[[millieme (angle)|millieme]]" system. This is an approximation of a milli-radian (6283 per circle), in which the compass dial is spaced into 6400 units or "mils" for additional precision when measuring angles, laying artillery, etc. The value to the military is that one [[angular mil]] subtends approximately one metre at a distance of one kilometer. Imperial Russia used a system derived by dividing the circumference of a circle into chords of the same length as the radius. Each of these was divided into 100 spaces, giving a circle of 600. The [[Soviet Union]] divided these into tenths to give a circle of 6000 units, usually translated as "mils". This system was adopted by the former [[Warsaw Pact]] countries, ''e.g.'', the Soviet Union, [[East Germany]], etc., often counterclockwise (see picture of wrist compass). This is still in use in Russia.

Because the Earth's magnetic field's inclination and intensity vary at different latitudes, compasses are often balanced during manufacture so that the dial or needle will be level, eliminating needle drag. Most manufacturers balance their compass needles for one of five zones, ranging from zone 1, covering most of the [[Northern Hemisphere]], to zone 5 covering [[Australia]] and the southern oceans. This individual zone balancing prevents excessive dipping of one end of the needle, which can cause the compass card to stick and give false readings.<ref name=globalcompass>{{Cite web|title=Global Compasses|url=http://www.mapworld.co.nz/global.html|access-date=2023-03-16|website=www.mapworld.co.nz}}</ref>

Some compasses feature a special needle balancing system that will accurately indicate magnetic north regardless of the particular magnetic zone. Other magnetic compasses have a small sliding counterweight installed on the needle. This sliding counterweight, called a "rider", can be used for counterbalancing the needle against the dip caused by inclination if the compass is taken to a zone with a higher or lower dip.<ref name=globalcompass />

{{Main|Magnetic deviation}}
[[File:MuseeMarine-compas-p1000468.jpg|thumb|A [[binnacle]] containing a ship's standard compass, with the two iron balls which correct the effects of [[ferromagnetism|ferromagnetic]] materials. This unit is on display in a museum.]]
Like any magnetic device, compasses are affected by nearby ferrous materials, as well as by strong local electromagnetic forces. Compasses used for wilderness land navigation should not be used in proximity to ferrous metal objects or electromagnetic fields (car electrical systems, automobile engines, steel [[piton]]s, etc.) as that can affect their accuracy.<ref name=des122>[[#Johnson|Johnson]], p. 122</ref> Compasses are particularly difficult to use accurately in or near trucks, cars or other mechanized vehicles even when corrected for deviation by the use of built-in magnets or other devices. Large amounts of ferrous metal combined with the on-and-off electrical fields caused by the vehicle's ignition and charging systems generally result in significant compass errors.

At sea, a ship's compass must also be corrected for errors, called [[Magnetic deviation|deviation]], caused by iron and steel in its structure and equipment. The ship is ''swung'', that is rotated about a fixed point while its heading is noted by alignment with fixed points on the shore. A compass deviation card is prepared so that the navigator can convert between compass and magnetic headings. The compass can be corrected in three ways. First the [[lubber line]] can be adjusted so that it is aligned with the direction in which the ship travels, then the effects of permanent magnets can be corrected for by small magnets fitted within the case of the compass. The effect of [[ferromagnetism|ferromagnetic]] materials in the compass's environment can be corrected by two iron balls mounted on either side of the compass binnacle in concert with permanent magnets and a [[Flinders bar]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://msix.nga.mil/StaticFiles/HoMCA.pdf|title=Handbook of Magnetic Compass Adjustment|last=GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY|first=National|date=2004|access-date=2019-05-09|archive-date=2019-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509224408/https://msix.nga.mil/StaticFiles/HoMCA.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The coefficient <math>a_0</math> represents the error in the lubber line, while <math>a_1,b_1</math> the ferromagnetic effects and <math>a_2,b_2</math> the non-ferromagnetic component.<ref>{{cite journal | last =Lushnikov | first =E. | title =Magnetic Compass in Modern Maritime Navigation | journal =TransNav, the International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation | volume =9 | issue =4 | pages =539–543 | date =December 2015 | url =http://www.transnav.eu/Article_Magnetic_Compass_in_Modern_Lushnikov,36,613.html | doi =10.12716/1001.09.04.10 | access-date =11 February 2016 | doi-access =free }}</ref>

A similar process is used to calibrate the compass in light general aviation aircraft, with the compass deviation card often mounted permanently just above or below the magnetic compass on the instrument panel. Fluxgate electronic compasses can be calibrated automatically, and can also be programmed with the correct local compass variation so as to indicate the true heading.

== Use ==
{{howto|section|date=November 2023}}
[[File:CompassUseMapMarked.jpg|thumb|Turning the compass scale on the map (D – the local magnetic declination)]]
[[File:CompassUseTargetMarked.jpg|thumb|When the needle is aligned with and superimposed over the outlined orienting arrow on the bottom of the capsule, the degree figure on the compass ring at the direction-of-travel (DOT) indicator gives the magnetic bearing to the target (mountain).]]

A magnetic compass points to magnetic north pole, which is approximately 1,000 miles from the true geographic North Pole. A magnetic compass's user can determine true North by finding the magnetic north and then correcting for variation and deviation. [[Magnetic declination|Variation]] is defined as the angle between the direction of true (geographic) north and the direction of the [[meridian (geography)|meridian]] between the magnetic poles. Variation values for most of the oceans had been calculated and published by 1914.<ref>Wright, Monte (1972) ''Most Probable Position''. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence. p. 7</ref> [[Magnetic deviation|Deviation]] refers to the response of the compass to local magnetic fields caused by the presence of iron and electric currents; one can partly compensate for these by careful location of the compass and the placement of compensating magnets under the compass itself. Mariners have long known that these measures do not completely cancel deviation; hence, they performed an additional step by measuring the compass bearing of a landmark with a known magnetic bearing. They then pointed their ship to the next compass point and measured again, graphing their results. In this way, correction tables could be created, which would be consulted when compasses were used when traveling in those locations.

Mariners are concerned about very accurate measurements; however, casual users need not be concerned with differences between magnetic and true North. Except in areas of extreme magnetic declination variance (20 degrees or more), this is enough to protect from walking in a substantially different direction than expected over short distances, provided the terrain is fairly flat and visibility is not impaired. By carefully recording distances (time or paces) and magnetic bearings traveled, one can plot a course and return to one's starting point using the compass alone.<ref name=des149>[[#Johnson|Johnson]], p. 149</ref>

[[File:Measuring azimuth with a compass.png|thumb|left|Soldier using a [[prismatic compass]] to get an azimuth]]

Compass navigation in conjunction with a map (''terrain association'') requires a different method. To take a map bearing or ''true bearing'' (a bearing taken in reference to true, not magnetic north) to a destination with a [[protractor compass]], the edge of the compass is placed on the map so that it connects the current location with the desired destination (some sources recommend physically drawing a line). The orienting lines in the base of the compass dial are then rotated to align with actual or true north by aligning them with a marked line of longitude (or the vertical margin of the map), ignoring the compass needle entirely.<ref name=des134135>[[#Johnson|Johnson]], pp. 134–135</ref> The resulting ''true bearing'' or map bearing may then be read at the degree indicator or direction-of-travel (DOT) line, which may be followed as an ''[[azimuth]]'' (course) to the destination. If a ''magnetic'' north bearing or ''compass bearing'' is desired, the compass must be adjusted by the amount of magnetic declination before using the bearing so that both map and compass are in agreement.<ref name=des134135 /> In the given example, the large mountain in the second photo was selected as the target destination on the map. Some compasses allow the scale to be adjusted to compensate for the local magnetic declination; if adjusted correctly, the compass will give the true bearing instead of the magnetic bearing.

The modern hand-held [[protractor compass]] always has an additional direction-of-travel (DOT) arrow or indicator inscribed on the baseplate. To check one's progress along a course or azimuth, or to ensure that the object in view is indeed the destination, a new compass reading may be taken to the target if visible (here, the large mountain). After pointing the DOT arrow on the baseplate at the target, the compass is oriented so that the needle is superimposed over the orienting arrow in the capsule. The resulting bearing indicated is the magnetic bearing to the target. Again, if one is using "true" or map bearings, and the compass does not have preset, pre-adjusted declination, one must additionally add or subtract [[magnetic declination]] to convert the ''magnetic bearing'' into a ''true bearing''. The exact value of the magnetic declination is place-dependent and varies over time, though declination is frequently given on the map itself or obtainable on-line from various sites. If the hiker has been following the correct path, the compass' corrected (true) indicated bearing should closely correspond to the true bearing previously obtained from the map.

A compass should be laid down on a level surface so that the needle only rests or hangs on the bearing fused to the compass casing – if used at a tilt, the needle might touch the casing on the compass and not move freely, hence not pointing to the magnetic north accurately, giving a faulty reading. To see if the needle is well leveled, look closely at the needle, and tilt it slightly to see if the needle is swaying side to side freely and the needle is not contacting the casing of the compass. If the needle tilts to one direction, tilt the compass slightly and gently to the opposing direction until the compass needle is horizontal, lengthwise. Items to avoid around compasses are magnets of any kind and any electronics. Magnetic fields from electronics can easily disrupt the needle, preventing it from aligning with the Earth's magnetic fields, causing inaccurate readings. The Earth's natural magnetic forces are considerably weak, measuring at 0.5 [[gauss (unit)|gauss]] and magnetic fields from household electronics can easily exceed it, overpowering the compass needle. Exposure to strong magnets, or magnetic interference can sometimes cause the magnetic poles of the compass needle to differ or even reverse. Avoid iron rich deposits when using a compass, for example, certain rocks which contain magnetic minerals, like [[Magnetite]]. This is often indicated by a rock with a surface which is dark and has a metallic luster, not all magnetic mineral bearing rocks have this indication. To see if a rock or an area is causing interference on a compass, get out of the area, and see if the needle on the compass moves. If it does, it means that the area or rock the compass was previously at is causing interference and should be avoided.

== Non-magnetic compasses ==

There are other ways to find north than the use of magnetism, and from a navigational point of view a total of seven possible ways exist<ref name="JournalOfNavigation2016" /> (where magnetism is one of the seven). Two sensors that use two of the remaining six principles are often also called compasses, i.e. the gyrocompass and GPS-compass.

A [[gyrocompass]] is similar to a [[gyroscope]]. It is a non-magnetic compass that finds [[true north]] by using an (electrically powered) fast-spinning wheel and friction forces in order to exploit the rotation of the Earth. Gyrocompasses are widely used on [[ship]]s. They have two main advantages over magnetic compasses:
* they find ''[[true north]]'', i.e., the direction of [[Earth]]'s rotational axis, as opposed to [[Magnetic North Pole#Magnetic north and magnetic declination|magnetic north]],
* they are not affected by [[ferromagnetic]] metal (including iron, steel, cobalt, nickel, and various alloys) in a ship's hull. (No compass is affected by nonferromagnetic metal, although a magnetic compass will be affected by any kind of wires with [[electric current]] passing through them.)

Large ships typically rely on a gyrocompass, using the magnetic compass only as a backup. Increasingly, electronic [[fluxgate compass]]es are used on smaller vessels. However, magnetic compasses are still widely in use as they can be small, use simple reliable technology, are comparatively cheap, are often easier to use than [[GPS]], require no energy supply, and unlike GPS, are not affected by objects, e.g. trees, that can block the reception of electronic signals.

[[GPS receiver]]s using two or more antennae mounted separately and blending the data with an inertial motion unit (IMU) can now achieve 0.02° in heading accuracy and have startup times in seconds rather than hours for gyrocompass systems. The devices accurately determine the positions (latitudes, longitudes and altitude) of the antennae on the Earth, from which the cardinal directions can be calculated. Manufactured primarily for maritime and aviation applications, they can also detect pitch and roll of ships. Small, portable GPS receivers with only a single antenna can also determine directions if they are being moved, even if only at walking pace. By accurately determining its position on the Earth at times a few seconds apart, the device can calculate its speed and the true bearing (relative to ''[[true north]]'') of its direction of motion. Frequently, it is preferable to measure the direction in which a vehicle is actually moving, rather than its heading, i.e. the direction in which its nose is pointing. These directions may be different if there is a crosswind or tidal current.

GPS compasses share the main advantages of gyrocompasses. They determine true North,<ref name="JournalOfNavigation2016">{{cite journal |last= Gade |first= Kenneth |year= 2016 |title= The Seven Ways to Find Heading |journal= The Journal of Navigation |volume= 69 |issue= 5 |pages=955–970 |url=http://www.navlab.net/Publications/The_Seven_Ways_to_Find_Heading.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.navlab.net/Publications/The_Seven_Ways_to_Find_Heading.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |doi= 10.1017/S0373463316000096 |bibcode= 2016JNav...69..955G |s2cid= 53587934 }}</ref> as opposed to magnetic North, and they are unaffected by perturbations of the Earth's magnetic field. Additionally, compared with gyrocompasses, they are much cheaper, they work better in polar regions, they are less prone to be affected by mechanical vibration, and they can be initialized far more quickly. However, they depend on the functioning of, and communication with, the GPS satellites, which might be disrupted by an electronic attack or by the effects of a severe solar storm. Gyrocompasses remain in use for military purposes (especially in submarines, where magnetic and GPS compasses are useless), but have been largely superseded by GPS compasses, with magnetic backups, in civilian contexts.

== See also ==

* {{annotated link|Astrocompass}}
* {{annotated link|Direction determination}}
* {{annotated link|Hand compass}}
* {{annotated link|Inertial navigation system}}
* {{annotated link|Pelorus (instrument)}}
* {{annotated link|South-pointing chariot}}

== Notes ==

{{refs|refs=
<ref name="Lane, p. 615">{{cite journal|author=Lane, Frederic C. |year=1963|title=The Economic Meaning of the Invention of the Compass|journal=The American Historical Review|volume=68|issue=3|pages=605–617 [615]|jstor=1847032|doi=10.2307/1847032}}</ref>
<ref name="needham volume 4 part 1 252">Needham, Joseph (1986) ''Science and civilisation in China'', Vol. 4: "Physics and physical technology", Pt. 1: "Physics", Taipei. p. 252 Caves Books, originally publ. by Cambridge University Press (1962), {{ISBN|0-521-05802-3}}</ref>
}}

== References ==

{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|ref=Johnson | author = Johnson, G. Mark | date = 2003 | title = The Ultimate Desert Handbook | publisher = McGraw-Hill Professional | isbn = 978-0-07-139303-4 }}
* {{cite journal|ref=Kreutz|author=Kreutz, Barbara M. |year=1973|title=Mediterranean Contributions to the Medieval Mariner's Compass|journal=Technology and Culture|volume=14|issue=3 |pages=367–383|jstor=3102323|doi=10.2307/3102323 |s2cid=111540460 }}
* {{cite journal|ref=Li|author=Li Shu-hua |year=1954|title=Origine de la Boussole II. Aimant et Boussolee|journal=Isis|volume=45|issue=2 |pages=175–196|jstor=227361|doi=10.1086/348315 |s2cid=143585290 }}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==

* Admiralty, Great Britain (1915) ''Admiralty manual of navigation, 1914'', Chapter XXV: "The Magnetic Compass (continued): the analysis and correction of the deviation", London : HMSO, 525 p.
* {{annotated link|Amir Aczel|Aczel, Amir D.}} (2001) ''The Riddle of the Compass: The Invention that Changed the World'', 1st Ed., New York : Harcourt, {{ISBN|0-15-600753-3}}
* {{cite journal | last1 = Carlson | first1 = John B | year = 1975 | title = Multidisciplinary analysis of an Olmec hematite artifact from San Lorenzo, Veracruz, Mexico | journal = Science | volume = 189 | issue = 4205| pages = 753–760 | doi = 10.1126/science.189.4205.753 | pmid = 17777565 | bibcode = 1975Sci...189..753C | s2cid = 33186517 }}
* {{annotated link|Frances Gies and Joseph Gies|Gies, Frances and Gies, Joseph}} (1994) ''Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel: Technology and Invention in the Middle Age'', New York : HarperCollins, {{ISBN|0-06-016590-1}}
* Gubbins, David, ''Encyclopedia of Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism'', Springer Press (2007), {{ISBN|1-4020-3992-1|978-1-4020-3992-8}}
* Gurney, Alan (2004) ''Compass: A Story of Exploration and Innovation'', London : Norton, {{ISBN|0-393-32713-2}}
* {{cite journal |last=King |first=David A. |s2cid=144315162 |year=1983 |title=The Astronomy of the Mamluks |journal=[[Isis (journal)|Isis]] |volume=74 |issue=4 |pages=531–555 |doi=10.1086/353360 }}
* Ludwig, Karl-Heinz and Schmidtchen, Volker (1997) ''Metalle und Macht: 1000 bis 1600'', Propyläen Technikgeschichte, Berlin: Propyläen Verlag, {{ISBN|3-549-05633-8}}
* Ma, Huan (1997) ''Ying-yai sheng-lan'' [The overall survey of the ocean's shores (1433)], Feng, Ch'eng-chün (ed.) and Mills, J.V.G. (transl.), Bangkok : White Lotus Press, {{ISBN|974-8496-78-3}}
* Seidman, David, and Cleveland, Paul, ''The Essential Wilderness Navigator'', Ragged Mountain Press (2001), {{ISBN|0-07-136110-3}}
* {{cite journal | last1 = Taylor | first1 = E.G.R. | year = 1951 | title = The South-Pointing Needle | journal = Imago Mundi | volume = 8 | pages = 1–7 | doi=10.1080/03085695108591973}}
* Williams, J.E.D. (1992) ''From Sails to Satellites: the origin and development of navigational science'', Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|0-19-856387-6}}
* Wright, Monte Duane (1972) ''Most Probable Position: A History of Aerial Navigation to 1941'', The University Press of Kansas, {{LCCN|72079318}}
* Zhou, Daguan (2007) ''The customs of Cambodia'', translated into English from the French version by Paul Pelliot of Zhou's Chinese original by J. Gilman d'Arcy Paul, Phnom Penh : Indochina Books, prev publ. by Bangkok : Siam Society (1993), {{ISBN|974-8298-25-6}}

== External links ==
{{Commons and category|Compass|Compasses}}
{{Wikiquote}}

* {{cite EB9 |wstitle = Compass, Mariner's |volume= VI | pages=225-228 |short=1}}
* [http://msi.nga.mil/MSISiteContent/StaticFiles/HoMCA.pdf Handbook of Magnetic Compass Adjustment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529102504/http://msi.nga.mil/MSISiteContent/StaticFiles/HoMCA.pdf |date=2019-05-29 }}
* Paul J. Gans, [https://web.archive.org/web/20031216131745/http://scholar.chem.nyu.edu/tekpages/compass.html The Medieval Technology Pages: Compass]
* [http://zapatopi.net/kelvin/papers/the_tides.html Evening Lecture To The British Association At The Southampton Meeting on Friday, August 25, 1882]. Refers to compass correction by [[Fourier series]].

{{Flight instruments}}
{{Aircraft components}}
{{Orienteering|type=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Chinese inventions]]
[[Category:Magnetic devices]]
[[Category:Navigational equipment]]
[[Category:Ancient inventions]]