6.4 Direction on the Earth

Direction is defined as

• a point to or from which a person or thing moves or faces.

Bearing is defined as

• the horizontal angle between
• an object's direction and
• the direction to another object.

6.4.2 Describe the 360º Method of Indicating Direction.

For precise navigation purposes, we use

• a circle,
• divide it into 360 degrees with
• North at the top of the circle.

North can be referred to as

• 000° or
• 360°.

All directions are measured clockwise from North, which are then expressed in the form of a three figure group.

e.g,

• 045° (northeast),
• 180° (south),
• 345° (northwest) and so on.

6.4.4 Describe the Earth's Magnetic Field.

• The earth acts as a huge magnet, and its lines of magnetic force are sufficiently strong to influence the direction of a freely suspended magnetic needle. 
• The poles of the magnet earth are known as the north magnetic pole and the south magnetic pole. 
• The location of the North Magnetic Pole is in the Hudson's Bay area in Canada, and the South Magnetic Pole is near South Victoria land in Antarctica. 
• The lines of magnetic force joining these two poles run roughly north-south.
• A freely suspended magnet will swing so that its axis will align itself in a general north-south direction, with the end called the north-seeking pole pointing to the earth's north magnetic pole. 
• The actual direction now shown by the magnet is called magnetic north, and this is the datum used to measure magnetic direction.