Would a compass work in outer space?

Question

how would it work if it did?

Answer 1

For a satellite in low Earth orbit, the answer is yes (as the magnetic field of the Earth is not much different there from what it is on the surface of the Earth).

As you move away from the Earth, however, other magnetic influences become dominant which make the orientation of the magnetic field (indicated by a compass) irrelevant to any Earth-bound direction.

Answer 2

It will not work as we used to utilise the compass on earth. It may still point to some point like a planet's pole etc, but don't think it will be useful anyway.

BTW, even on the earth, the compass actually does not point exactly to the north pole. There is different between magnetic north pole and the true north pole.

Meaning if you use the compass and follow the red point, you will never get to the TRUE north pole.

Answer 3

If you find a planet similar to earth, which works like a typical magnet, you will find that it will have a North and a South Pole.

If you take the compass some electrical equipment, say a wire carrying moving charges, it will experience a magnetic force, making the needle to move in a given direction, you don't really have to be close to earth to find make the compass work.
the compass will follow the lines of magnetic force closest to it.

Answer 4

Thats an interesting question!

I suppose if youre near earth, or a body with a strong magnetic field, like jupiter, yes it may work and even be useful.

Deep space, between stars, my money is on no, it wouldnt, as the field would be too weak, and possibly have multiple sources of interference.

Answer 5

short answer: A compass continually factors to magnetic SOUTH. The earth's north pole, the only close to the canadian arctic is unquestionably a magnetic SOUTHpole. So one ought to declare that the compass NEVERpoints to magnetic north.!!!! LONGER answer The earth may be considered an excellent magnetic solenoid with a south pole close to to what we call our geographic north pole (someplace in canada's intense arctic) and a north magnetic pole close to to what we call our south geographic pole (someplace in antarctica). you may study that back in case you like, i did no longer have faith it on the beginning up, in spite of the undeniable fact that this is real, the magnetic north pole is unquestionably a south pole. via convention, exterior the solenoid -i.e. exterior the earth, the magnetic lines of stress depart the north magnetic pole (anarctica) and bypass as much as the northern hemisphere and discover their way INTO the north pole (this is unquestionably a south magnetic pole, in canada). A compass will align itself and factor interior the direction of this magnetic line of stress, consequently the sharp end will factor in direction of the pole in Canada's arctic. so a techniques so good. for many aspects on earth the lines of stress are frequently horizontal and the compass works high-quality. For a tourist strolling close to to the two pole, the lines of stress are the two going right this moment up interior the antarctic or right this moment down interior the arctic. This makes the compass no longer artwork properly as there is somewhat little horizontal area of the sector to make the needle think approximately any specific direction. in fact the needle may even tip up or down. So enable's depart the floor of the earth, the lines of stress are nonetheless there basically weaker and your compass will nonetheless align itself with those lines, yet, what that's going to intend to you through fact the tourist in area isn't very lots. As you get farther out the sector is even weaker and your compass will probable start to align itself with magnetic fields generated via interior of reach ferromagnetic products (belt buckles) or countless vehicles, transformers etc -any modern-day in a close-by twine will generate a magnetic field which will intrude with the compass. My wager is that the GPS device is getting used for navigation in close to earth orbit for the gap station and return and forth, etc. If we pass previous earth orbit the place this is wise then we would choose to initiate employing megastar charts to triangulate our positions.

Answer 6

Yes it would. It would work exactly the same as on earth pointing to the north pole of a magnetic field, it just might not be the earths north pole.

Answer 7

if there is magnetic field then yes. every magnet has a north and south side on it. the needle on the compass always points to the north. so if the magnetic field north side is closes to you then the needle will point north.

Answer 8

it is a rather basic type of interpolated cylclonic hyperidyne crystal-helium resonant trabaforger,,,,,fully functional even at C+10

Answer 9

how would the rocket recognise where is Home?

Answer 10

If you give proper wages...