North Orientations


Due to the different coordinate systems on earth, there are also different North Directions. A distinction is made between the three North Directions: Magnetic North, Grid North and Geographic North.
The angles between the North Directions describe the relationships between the North Directions: There is the declination δ, the needle deviation d and the meridian convergence γ.

MagN GriN GeoN d δ γ

Magnetic North, Grid North and Geographic North



Magnetic North

Magnetic North (MagN) is the direction to the Earth's magnetic north pole. It is the direction indicated by an ordinary compass. Because the Earth's magnetic field is not constant, the magnetic north pole also moves over the years. Currently, the magnetic North Pole is located near Greenland.


Grid North

Grid North (GriN) are grid lines parallel to the prime meridian of a plane coordinate system (UTM, GK, ...). There is no associated "north pole", but the north direction is mathematically defined.


Geographic North

Geographic North (GeoN) is the true point of intersection of the Earth's axis of rotation through the Earth's surface. Another term is astronomical north or true north. The determination is made by means of gyro measurements or astronomical methods.


Declination δ

Needle Deviation d

Meridianconvergence γ

MagN GriN GeoN d δ γ
MagN GriN GeoN d δ γ
MagN GriN GeoN d δ γ

Declination δ describes the angle between Geographic North and Magnetic North.

The Needle Deviation d corresponds to the angle between Grid North and Magnetic North.

The Meridianconvergence γ is the angle between Geographic North and Grid North.


Hands-On


Click on any point on the map and you will see the three respective north directions for the corresponding point. You can also switch on and off showing an map grid around the selected point.
North Orientations
Magnetic North Geographic North Grid North
Magnetic Northpole Geographic Northpole Position
schematic illustration of a Mollweide projection

References