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A compass is a navigational instrument for determining direction relative to the Earth's magnetic poles. It consists of a magnetized pointer (usually marked on the North end) free to align itself with Earth's magnetic field. The compass greatly improved the safety and efficiency of travel, especially ocean travel. A compass can be used to calculate heading, used with a sextant to calculate latitude, and with a marine chronometer to calculate longitude. It thus provides a much improved navigational capability that has only been recently supplanted by modern devices such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). A compass is any magnetically sensitive device capable of indicating the direction of the magnetic north of a planet's magnetosphere. The face of the compass generally highlights the cardinal points of north, south, east and west. Often, compasses are built as a stand alone sealed instrument with a magnetized bar or needle turning freely upon a pivot, or moving in a fluid, thus able to point in a northerly and southerly direction. The compass was invented in ancient China around 247 B.C., and was used for navigation by the 11th century. The dry compass was invented in medieval Europe around 1300.[1] This was supplanted in the early 20th century by the liquid-filled magnetic compass.[2]
Other, more accurate devices have been invented for determining north that do not depend on the Earth's magnetic field for operation (known in such cases as true north, as opposed to magnetic north). A gyrocompass or astrocompass can be used to find true north, while being unaffected by stray magnetic fields, nearby electrical power circuits or nearby masses of ferrous metals. A recent development is the electronic compass, or fibre optic gyrocompass, which detects the magnetic directions without potentially fallible moving parts. This device frequently appears as an optional subsystem built into GPS receivers. However, magnetic compasses remain popular, especially in remote areas, as they are relatively inexpensive, durable, and require no electrical power supply.[3]
RELIGIOUS and I'm guessing that you're refering to the Giza pyramids and how they are proportional to the compass?
the compass is used for you to tell where you are and it tells you where to go
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Is the astrolabe still used today?
yes they do because a astrolobe is a compass so yes the people today use a astrolabe / compass
How was a compass used in ancient china and how does it affect society today?
What purpose did the ancient compass serve
Is the navigation compass still used today?
Yes, it is the compass which we use today.
How is the chinese compass used today?
ummm don't know thats why i I'm reseaching the.....
Is the compass still used today?
Yes. People (and vehicles) still need to know where they are going.
Tool used to draw circles and arcs?
Compass compass compass
What is a compass saw used for?
A compass saw is used to make curved cuts
What is a tool used to draw circles and arcs?
compass
What is the difference between a compass and a compass rose?
a compass uses magnets to point north, whereas a compass rose is used on a map to direct north, south, east, and west. to my knowledge a compass rose is only used on a map.
What kind of tool is used to assist in drawing circles?
Most of the time, a tool called a "compass" is used to draw perfect circles. This compass is not to be mistaken with a directional compass.
Can you make a sentence with the word compass?
I used my compass to find my way out of the forest.
What are three Chinese inventions that still exist today?
Three Chinese inventions that still exist today are gunpowder, which is still used in firearms and fireworks; the magnetic compass, which is still used for navigation; and paper, which is still widely used for writing and printing.
