andyt@kontron.UUCP (Andy Thornton) (05/02/86)
this is an OFFICAL USENET line eater line! > does anyone know >of an algorithm to derive _approximate_ magnetic compass deviation from >geographic north and south? >==> Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, New York >==> UUCP {decvax|dual|rocksanne|rocksvax|watmath}!sunybcs!kitty!larry It has always been my understanding that Magnetic North changes from year to year based on the solar wind, the earths' orbital wobbble, & etc. I know there are times when the whole thing switches, this is used in dating rocks & fossils - although its only good for rough approximations - (I'm talking hundreds of thousands to millions of years here), but given the life of a product I don't think you have to worry about it! :-) I also remember that the variation will change based on where you are in relation to Mag. North which is located somewhere around Hudson's Bay, Canada. Questions: a.) Am I right in my memories? b.) Is there anyone out there with a reference I could look at? c.) Is there a geologist or geographer out there who IS a reference & would be willing to confirm/deride my opinion? Andy Thornton @ Kontron Electronics voder!kontron!andyt ============================================================================== ==> I SPEAK FOR NO ORGANIZATION AND NO ONE BUT MYSELF!!!!!! <== What's a geologist's favorite ice cream? Rocky Road, of course.