being as there is no magnetic pull as on earth wich way will a compass point.
2007-09-02 03:23:37 · 31 answers · asked by ambugirl 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
No. It will not point towards a magnetic field! It will align itself in the direction of whatever resultant (ie combined) magnetic field exists in that locality, if any.
The lines which represent a magnetic field are often great curves and are considered to pass from a magnetic north to a magnetic south pole. The direction of the field is the tangent to the curve in that locality.
Close to the Earth the Earth's magnetic field is much stronger than that of the Sun, so the Earth's magnetic field dominates.
Well away from the planets, but within the Solar System the magnetic field of the Sun will be expected to dominate the result.
In deep space, ie well outside and a great distance from any galaxy, any magnetic field can be assumed to be so weak as to be too small to measure and too small to have any effect, because it is so far from any magnetic pole or electric current.
There the compass needle will point in whatever position in which it comes to rest within the case. If it is made to spin within the case it will come to rest because of friction in the bearings.
Of course the case itself could be tumbling in deep space, but the needle will tumble with it without turning on its spindle within the case.
It is incorrect to assume that because there is a gravitational field at a particular locality, a magnetic field necessarily exists also, and vice versa.
2007-09-02 05:25:43 · answer #1 · answered by Red Campion 2 · 9⤊ 0⤋
Quote: 'Gyroscopic compasses do not depend on magnetism at all. They are set to point to the North Star when they are made and continue to do so as long as they are powered. Even in local space, within the solar system, they will continue to point to Earth's North Star.
I believe the Sun and Jupiter both have magnetic fields. The compass would point to the Sun's North pole in most of the solar system if it was sensitive enough.'
I hope this is some help.
2007-09-02 10:36:09 · answer #2 · answered by Miss Shoes 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why don't you ask Jon Tickle? You clearly watch Brainiac (not really a science show) as he posed this question just an hour or so before it appeared.
To answer the question; It'll line up along any magnetic field line strong enough to influence the needle. Close to earth it'll be more or less the same as one on the surface.
In interplanetary space, the solar wind will influence its direction. Near a gas giant (don't need to be that near actually) it'll behave like one in earth orbit.
Magnetic fields permeate space, too. They don't just hover slightly above the earth's surface. This is as stupid a misconception as "there's no gravity in space". Mr Tickle (not the Mr Men character) should know better for a man who calls himself a scientist.
2007-09-02 15:32:43 · answer #3 · answered by BIMS Lewis 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You mean you will be the next civilian to take part in a space
journey and carry your compass with you?If so,it's great!
If you'll launch your compass into space,jsut leave it to fly
free to the nearest gravity-center. No point of pointing
anywhere if time and space s relative.
2007-09-03 07:28:54 · answer #4 · answered by yamahabela 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there actually are magnetic pulls... they come from the sun and distant stars and things like that. The sun gives out solar flares, which create very strong ion winds. These "winds are so strong, that the big ones can short out satellites and sometimes even whole power grids. We are protected from most of this on earth because of our magnetic field, but in space it would affect much more, meaning it would attract the compass.
And the fact that not many compasses are designed to work in microgravity...
2007-09-02 10:32:06 · answer #5 · answered by Steve 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It would gently rotate in the direction of the last linier force exerted on it, unless you were in the vicinity of a magnetic force such as a planet with a liquid metal core (such as the earth has), in which case the compass would point either directly at the planet or directly away.
2007-09-03 10:08:39 · answer #6 · answered by Buzz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What a fantastic question!!
I believe the compass would point to any ferromagnetic source. So typically in a space ship it would point to the largest piece of iron or steel or to any magnets in electric motors on board.
2007-09-02 13:42:08 · answer #7 · answered by davee52uk 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you are reasonably close to the earth (in the current shuttle mission, for example), it will work as it does on the ground, since the earth's magnetic field extends into space. Farther out, as at tne moon, it wouldn't do anything.
2007-09-02 10:30:06 · answer #8 · answered by vijay g 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In space, it would still point along lines of magnetic force towards the strongest North pole.
If you were near Earth, then it would still poin t towards the Earth's North pole. If you were nearer to Mars, then it would point towards Mars' North pole.
2007-09-02 10:29:06 · answer #9 · answered by Gary D 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It would point towards the strongest magnetic field. Where that is in space depends.
2007-09-02 10:54:16 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋