does a compass have "magnetic north" in space?

Answer 1

1. Did you mean: Will the compass always point toward the Magnetic North Pole on Earth, while the compass is in Space? The answer: NO . . . In deep space, the earth's magnetic field would be too weak to be felt or detected by the compass.

2. Did you mean: Will a compass work in space. The Answer: YES . . . A compass is just a magnetized bar that is allowed to swing freely. If the compass could detect a magnetic field from any source, it would point that direction accordingly.

There you have it.
Have fun!

Answer 2

Since the positive end of a compass needle is attracted to the positive side of another magnetic source this is what causes the compass to work on Earth (as Earth is a large bar magnet with a North and South pole).
In space there would be no magnetic lines of flux for the compass needle to align with. Also since the needle sets atop a post (or pin) gravity would hold the needle on the post while lines of flux turn the needle to align with the north pole.
In the absence of gravity the needle would not stay in place on the post (or pin). So without some modifications not only would the compass not point to anything but the needle would be floating in the compass enclosure.

Answer 3

Of course. Just like a battery would still have a plus and minus terminal, the magnet would have a north and south and we could determine which it was by how it interacted with moving charge. North and South on magnets are just a convention and have in reality nothing to do with direction unless the magnet is used as a compass.

Answer 4

no
as a matter of fact, in space its used a gyroscope, not a compass

after a certain distance, te compass will point any direction regardless the earth's magnetic north

Answer 5

No. If you fly by the earth, or the sun it would probably just spin when you were under the influence of their gravity.

MK

Answer 6

no