What Way would it point????

Question

If you took a compass into space, what way would it point?

Answer 1

If the compass could detect a magnetic field from any source, it would point accordingly. However, here on earth, it is the earth's magnetic field that is detected. In deep space, the earth's magnetic field would be too weak to be
felt. A compass is just a magnetized bar that is allowed to swing freely and line up with the earth's magnetic field. In outer space, far outside the earth's magnetic field, the compass needle would just point randomly.

Here is a little experiment you can try. If you have a compass and a magnet, you can make the compass needle point toward the magnet, which has astronger magnetic field than the earth when it is closer to the compass.Try it! See if you can make the "north pointing" end of the compass point south, or east, or west. See if you can tell which end of the compass is
attracted to the north pole of your magnet.

Answer 2

I would think it would point towards the sun during the sun spot maximum as solar activity and flares produce extremely powerful magnetic currents and particle storms.
In deep space these would far outclass the magnetic poles of the earth .or the fields of the gas giants.
Maybe these coronal outbursts would affect an iron compass.
Interesting question.

Answer 3

Toward the nearest ferro magnetic object. Maybe your space suit, maybe the space ship, maybe your magnetized screw driver.
If the compass is in outer space and there is no one to see it, does it point anywhere?

Answer 4

Towards the nearest magnet.

Answer 5

I guess it would point to the nearest or strongest force of gravity.

Answer 6

It would align with any ambient magnetic field.

Answer 7

Um, Don't think it would point any way, so where it was last pointing.