2007-07-15 20:56:00 · 5 answers · asked by loro boy™ 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
if it is built like a gyroscope, it will point to the strongest magnetic north field it is in.
If it is not built like a gyroscope, it will point the best it can towards the strongest magnetic north field it is in.
So if your craft is made of steel, and it is heavily magnetized, it will point to your craft's magnetic north.
The Sun has a magnetic field, various planets do as well, so it just depends on which is strongest when they reach your compass as to which will effect it.
2007-07-15 21:04:33 · answer #1 · answered by whatotherway 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Depends how far into space you go. Compasses work as they do because of Earth's magnetic field. The farther you get away from that field, the more useless will become your compass. If you travelled out to some other planet like Jupiter there's a magnetic field there too, but they're not aligned the same way on Earth; once again your compass will be pretty screwed up.
2007-07-16 04:05:09 · answer #2 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Compass aligns itself in the direction of the magentic field. If you take it away from the earths magnetic field area it wouldnt deflect or align. It would remain still
2007-07-16 04:05:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would point to the nearest, strongest magnetic field. If there isn't one nearby, it may take awhile for the needle to settle, but eventually one position will be chosen.
2007-07-16 04:07:23 · answer #4 · answered by navig8r 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will cease to operate as it did berfore.
Instead of pointing to North, it will point toward any large mass it sees...such as the space ship itself.
2007-07-16 07:56:30 · answer #5 · answered by zahbudar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋