Magnetic Variation (for the navigators)

[Joonsy]

I guess most have already heard about the change in magnetic variation, for the first time since ordnance surveys existence (1791) magnetic north is east of grid north, but only in the far south west of England http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/blog/2014/01/magnetic-north-is-on-the-move-again/ if interested you can read the British Geological Survey report here http://britgeopeople.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/somethings-happening-to-magnetic-north.html if you wish you can get the exact magnetic variation for any UK location from this link (you only need to fill in box for postcode and can ignore all other boxes) http://www.geomag.bgs.ac.uk/data_service/models_compass/gma_calc.html

 

[mrcharly]

Just to clarify something - the change affects the whole world. It's just that due to angles, in the far south-west the drift moves magnetic north east of grid north.

Interesting links, thanks.

 

[Joonsy]

Just to clarify something - the change affects the whole world. It's just that due to angles, in the far south-west the drift moves magnetic north east of grid north.

Interesting links, thanks.

thanks for reply, yes you are right of course, i did know that but perhaps i neglected to make that clear in my post as i was really just referring to the UK position. The difference between magnetic north and grid north here in the UK is now so slight that i imagine many people don't even bother to adjust for it on their compass any more. From my home location using that link provided Mag is only 1 degree 47 mins west of Grid, though it differs a little throughout the uk.

 

[Claudiasboris]

Great articles, thanks for posting! I really like the calculator - very useful for instructing!


Claudiasboris

 

[Greg]

Thanks..very interesting