even though they have no magnetic pole to point to?
2007-10-27 08:48:17 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
no, because compasses use magnets that are attracted to the earths' poles (the north pole is where earth's magnetic field is most concentrated ). You could use them on other planets (that have a magnetic Field), but in space there is no poles, etc. to attract the compass's magnet. Also, if a planets magnetic Field is most concentrated on one of the sides, not the the top/bottom, your compass would be reading east or west not north or south.
2007-10-27 09:05:55 · answer #1 · answered by ello 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, they will point in a direction, but chances are, not in any useful or meaningful derection. Compasses point towards the poles on the surface of the earth because they are close to the magnetic poles. In space, however, the magnetic field is far less predictable than on the surface of the earth. Not to mention, in space, there is no real concept of north or south. Nevertheless, the magnetic fields in space will cause it to point in A direction, whatever that may mean.
2007-10-27 15:52:26 · answer #2 · answered by spindoctoradam 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In 'deep space', no. But the Space Shuttle only flies about 125 miles up, and you can still get a reading of the earth's magnetic field at that distance.
2007-10-27 15:51:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Compasses respond to *any* magnetic field, but in space such magnetic fields and how they affect a compass are of no actual use since directions like 'north,' 'south,' 'east,' and 'west' are meaningless.
2007-10-27 16:14:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
in orbit around earth they still do have a magnetic pole to point to. if you were far away enough, no, they would probably point at some electronic device in the spacecraft
2007-10-27 16:01:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A compass needle is a small magnet so it will point to the nearest iron.
2007-10-27 16:25:14 · answer #6 · answered by Renaissance Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will probably go crazy because of the sun. The sun sets off electricity, and also some magnetism, so if the compasses pick that up, they will keep spinning.
2007-10-27 15:51:03 · answer #7 · answered by Paul I 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They would still be affected by the strongest magnetic field in the vicinity, but there is no real concept of "north" when you're in space.
2007-10-27 15:50:59 · answer #8 · answered by Don Adriano 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
no because it only works on earth because of the north and south magnetic fields, thats why magnets mess them up too
2007-10-27 15:51:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
no, not like they do on earth.
even on earth, compasses can give misleading info since the filed is not perfect. especially closer to the poles
2007-10-27 15:53:09 · answer #10 · answered by Mercury 2010 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋