Curious to know how to determine direction at Earth poles

[DavidNg]

Hi,

How do people determine directions at the poles? from what I learn from high school physic classes compasses dont work at poles as N-S direction will be up-down, and how N-S-E-W directions still apply?

Thanks in advance

David

[mithrandir]

David, there are two sets of poles - geographic and magnetic.
At the geographic poles a magnetic compass will point at the magnetic poles so as long as you know where those are you can use that as a reference for longitude. However at the geographic poles all directions are N (south pole) or S (north pole). Once you move off the pole E and W have meaning.

At the magnetic poles a compass will spin uncontrollably, except for a dip compass which will point up/down.

A GPS would work, but commercial grade ones don't have the same accuracy when you are that far N or S because of the limited satellite visibility.

[gary]

Hi David,

You might enjoy a famous navigational puzzle. :)

You walk one km North, then one km East, then one km South and you are back precisely from where you first started.

Where are you?

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Mt Kuring-Gai NSW 2080

[mithrandir]

There are two groups of answers to that one Gary. I'll refrain from spoiling your fun. :)