How does true north differ from magnetic north?

True north refers to the geographic North Pole, which is a fixed point on the Earth's surface where the lines of longitude converge. It is consistent over time and does not change because it is defined by the Earth's rotation and axis.

On the other hand, magnetic north is the point on the Earth's surface where its magnetic field points vertically downwards. This point is not fixed; it moves due to changes in the Earth's magnetic field, which means that the magnetic north pole can shift over time. As a result, magnetic compasses, which point toward magnetic north, can lead to variations in navigation that need to be accounted for, as they can differ from true north depending on the location and time.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for navigation and flight operations, as relying solely on magnetic north without considering true north can lead to navigational errors.