Direction on the Earth

The 360º method of indicating direction.

• Direction is defined as the course, track or line along which an object (eg an aircraft) can move along, or which must be taken by the object, to reach a destination, without reference to distance.
• For precise navigation purposes, we use a circle and divide it into 360 degrees with True North at the top of the circle. 
• This can be referred to as 000° or 360°. 
• We then number each degree starting at True North going clockwise until we are back at True north again. 
• Each degree we pass is expressed as a three-figure group, e.g. 045° (northeast), 180° (south), 345° (northwest) and so on.

 True North;

• At any place, it is the direction along the earth's surface towards the geographic North Pole.

True Direction;

• The direction measured with reference to True North.  It forms the basis of aviation maps and charts.

Magnetic North;

• At any given place, it is the actual direction of the horizontal component of the earth’s local magnetic field to the north magnetic pole.

Magnetic direction;

• The direction measured with reference to Magnetic North as indicated by the Magnetic Compass

The Cardinal Directions and the Inter-Cardinal Directions of the Earth;