Compasses in space???

Question

What way would a compass point in space??

Answer 1

compasses are based on the magnetic field that the earth naturally exudes, it points to the south pole (magnetically speaking) and the north pole geographically, if you came in contact with an electric disturbance or a magnetic field in space then the compass would react, other than that it would simply be a piece of metal that you could spin....like the things you use to see where to put what in twister, the spinner thingies.

Answer 2

to the closest thing that is magnetic, or if all magnetic fields are to weak to move the needle nowhere. it would just stay still.

Answer 3

It would point to any magnetic field in the vicinity, in other words it would be totally useless , you would be better of with sat nav

Answer 4

Same.

Answer 5

A compass would only point in a certain direction if it were affected by a magnetic force. In space I'm pretty sure it wouldn't point anywhere in particular.

Answer 6

Towards the closest magnetic source, most likely a power source in the spacecraft as the craft travels further away from the planet..   In orbit there may be significant influence for the compass to align with a planetary magnetic field.  The compass will align itself with a magnetic line of force and since the space craft is further away the magnetic lines of force are less dense and have a greater curvature.  It is not likely that the needle will point to a pole but rather an arbitrary directiion that is in line with the line of force.   See the link for a diagram that illustrates lines of force and note the odd directions the lines of force take the further away from the magnet .

Answer 7

If you were in orbit about the  Earth, they would point toward the north magnetic pole.  If you were beyond Earth's magnetic field (and not in any other planets' magnetic field), it would point randomly.