Compass point
Compass point
Compass point (pronunciation: /ˈkʌmpəs pɔɪnt/) is a term used in navigation to refer to one of the horizontal directions viewed on a compass. The term originates from the Latin words compāssus meaning "circle" and punctum meaning "point".
Description
A compass point is a specific direction on a compass. The most commonly known compass points are North, South, East, and West. These are often further subdivided into intermediate directions, such as North-East, South-East, South-West, and North-West.
In more detailed navigation, these points can be further divided into secondary intercardinal directions and quarter points. The total number of identified points on a compass can be up to 32, each representing 11.25 degrees of a circle.
Usage
Compass points are used in various fields, including Geography, Cartography, Maritime navigation, and Astronomy. They are essential for determining and communicating precise directions, especially in navigation and map-making.
Related terms
- Cardinal directions: The four main points of a compass: North, South, East, and West.
- Intercardinal directions: The directions that lie halfway between the cardinal directions: North-East, South-East, South-West, and North-West.
- True north: The direction along the earth's surface towards the geographic North Pole.
- Magnetic north: The direction that a compass needle points to, which is slightly different from true north due to the earth's magnetic field.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Compass point
- Wikipedia's article - Compass point
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