What is a common misconception about true north?

True north refers to the direction along the Earth's surface towards the North Pole, representing a fixed point on the globe. One common misconception is that true north is always the same as magnetic north. However, true north and magnetic north are not the same; magnetic north is based on the Earth's magnetic field and can vary depending on your geographic location due to magnetic deviations and declinations.

Understanding true north's constancy is crucial for navigation and aviation, as pilots and navigators need to use true north when creating flight plans and navigating. While magnetic north can shift over time due to changes in the Earth’s magnetic field, true north remains constant, providing a reliable point for determining direction.

The other options mention various characteristics, such as changes due to magnetic field shifts or that true north is imaginary, which provides information but does not accurately represent the nature of true north itself. Recognizing true north as a stable geographic point rather than something transient or imaginary is essential for proper navigation.