Posted on 02/05/2019 11:32:20 AM PST by Puppage
WASHINGTON (AP) - North isn't quite where it used to be.
Earth's north magnetic pole has been drifting so fast in the last few decades that scientists say that past estimates are no longer accurate enough for precise navigation. On Monday, they released an update of where magnetic north really was, nearly a year ahead of schedule.
(Excerpt) Read more at wtnh.com ...
The USCG operated a Loran-C station in the far western OK panhandle near the TX state line. I looked it up the other day and it appears the tower and support building still exist, at least according to the aerial photo I found.
It went off line and was decommissioned about 12 years ago. Sad.
Some squirrely space junk hits our GPS system and we will be wishing Loran back big time.
It passed me on the New Jersey Turnpike the other day.
IIRC, most of the maps also have the predicted rate of change per year on there too. “Magnetic Declination = 6.5 degrees West, at 0.1 W per year.”
So now it might be 0.12 per year. Not a big deal when using a compass and map to find a landmark. Probably not that big of a deal in one’s car either?
Targeting of missiles using GPS, I’m guessing that extra .02 degrees at 1,000 miles may make a difference. I doubt GPS works like this, but if I used a compass to “aim” the missle, at 1,000 miles it would be off by about 1,800 feet to one side (I think I did the math properly).
BTW - the headline is stupid. “Check your compass” doesn’t help - it always points to magnetic north. Although I know that our street points directly due north - so I have double-checked my declination using the curb. Although the length of my street (or my compass marked at 1 degree marks and my poor eyes) won’t help much in figuring out that last .02 degrees!
We Die , mortals we is..lol
I also hate them.
exactly. To be clear: The magnetic field protects us from solar winds. This could heat the Thermosphere a great deal what that will do to the rest of the atmosphere is unknown.
It's fairly accepted that Mars atmosphere was stripped away because it doesn't have a magnetic field. While our field moves the field strength is weakened.
Does this mean we’re all gonna die?
C D M V T A E
Works every time.
Well, as AOC would suggest, just move the magnet back where it belongs.
I have been in some strange deviation areas, for instance, about 120nm E off Cape Henry. Truly mysterious stuff.
When you orient your topographical quadrangle, don’t forget to adjust for magnetic declination.
Assuming you don’t just use a gps gauge.
Both Minot AFB and Tinker AFB had runway numbers change a few years ago.
But your original post stated "renumber" which I imagine would depend on the number of runways available. Not direction.
I'm no pilot but I did play one on TV. </joke>
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.