How does a magnetic compass work? Well, it’s all down to basic physics and human ingenuity. The key component of a standard baseplate compass is its magnetized needle, which is allowed to spin freely ...

If you're annoyed that your pocket compass doesn't point exactly to true north, then head for Greenwich, England, where magnetic north and true north are synching over the next two weeks for the first ...

For the first time in 360 years, compass needles at the Royal Observatory Greenwich in England will point toward true North. But why weren’t they pointing there in the first place? Earth has two North ...