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Where would a compass needle point on the ISS, or in space?

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Even though the field is weaker, the compass can still align with it meaning that a compass on the International Space Station would still be a reliable guide to the North Pole. If you choose ... At this point, your compass would swap allegiance, and would begin pointing towards the Suns magnetic north pole. read more

A compass would work the same way in space. If you were in a magnetic field strong enough to deflect the needle, it would be deflected. If you were too far from a field, the needle would not react and would appear fixed to the compass. The astronauts have tested this, on orbit. read more

Assuming that in 300-400 km above the sea level at this altitude the earth magnetic field lines still have a strong horizontal component, the compass needle should presumably align to the magnetic poles during the whole orbit. Using the picture assume that you are in the ISS at the yellow point holding the compass at a fixed location. read more

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A space compass / Lessons online / Human Spaceflight / Our ...
Source: esa.int

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