Magnetic Compass
A magnetic compass is a navigation tool that uses the Earth's magnetic field to determine direction. It consists of a magnetized needle that is free to pivot and align itself with the magnetic field. The needle is attached to a card that is marked with the four cardinal points (north, south, east, and west) and their intermediate points. The compass is mounted in a housing that contains a glass window and a lubber line, which is used to align the compass with the ship's centerline. The magnetic compass is an essential tool for navigation at sea, providing a reliable means of determining direction even when other navigation equipment is not available or has failed.
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