Magnetic Observatories

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 11, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 37.

Magnetic Observatories

The government has entered upon the work of establishing a system of magnetic observatories for the purpose of ascertaining the deviation of the compass from the true north. The first of these institutions will be established at Sitka, Alaska. As the magnetic poles of the earth do not correspond with the polar axis, the magnetic needle, in almost every part of the earth, deviates from the true north. The knowledge of this deviation is essential to the safe navigation of ships. The magnetic north pole is located in 97 degrees west longitude, and 70 degrees, 5 minutes north latitude, the longitude being reckoned from Greenwich. The location of the magnetic south pole has not been so definitely determined.