Gegenpole

Gegenpole is a term that appears in a small subset of discussions in geomagnetism, magnetometry, and theoretical physics to denote the pole opposite to a reference pole within a particular model, coordinate system, or field configuration. The word is formed from the German gegen-, meaning “opposite” or “counter,” and pole. Because it is not a standard term with a universally accepted definition, its precise meaning varies between sources.

In practice, a gegenpole is described as the opposite end of a dipole with respect to the axis or symmetry of the system, or as the counterpart of a reference pole under a specified transformation. Some authors use gegenpole as a synonym for antipole, while others distinguish it as a model-dependent or frame-dependent counterpart to the reference pole. The lack of a single, formal definition means that the term can be encountered with differing nuances across texts.

Context and usage: Gegenpole is uncommon in mainstream geomagnetism and navigation literature. It is more often found in niche or German-language discussions and in theoretical treatments that emphasize polar symmetry or pole-pair relations within abstract models. In widely used terminology, antipole, antipodal point, or simply opposite pole are the more common expressions.

See also: antipole, antipodal point, magnetic pole, geographic pole.