[TowerTalk] Re: Magnetic declination vs magnetic variation

[donald.s.tucker@exgate.tek.com]

This was an interesting thread so thought the group would be interested in
this:

The "Geodetic Glossary" of the NOAA/NOS/National Geodetic Survey defines the
term this way:

"Declination, magnetic     The angular direction, east or west from the
north branch of the celestial meridian, of magnetic north as determined by
the positive pole of a freely suspended magnetic needle that is not subject
to any transient, artificial disturbance.

In nautical and aeronautical navigation the term variation is used instead
of declination, and the angle is called variation of compass or magnetic
variation.  Except for usage in navigation, magnetic declination is not
synonymous with magnetic variation, which refers to regular or irregular
change with time of magnetic declination, dip, or intensity."


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