Kompasswinkel

Kompasswinkel, in German often translated as bearing angle, is the angle between a reference direction, typically geographic north, and the projection of a line or object onto the horizontal plane, as determined with a compass. The angle is usually expressed in degrees from 0° to 360°, measured clockwise from north. In common usage, a Kompasswinkel refers to a magnetic bearing when a magnetic compass is used; to obtain a true bearing, this value can be adjusted by the local magnetic variation.

Measurement of the Kompasswinkel is done by aligning the compass along the line to be measured and reading the angle on the compass dial. If the needle points toward magnetic north, the reading represents a magnetic bearing. The reader should distinguish between magnetic bearing and true bearing, which accounts for the difference between magnetic north and geographic north.

Conversions between magnetic and true bearings require knowledge of the magnetic variation (also called declination) at the location. If the variation is east, the true bearing is obtained by adding the variation to the magnetic bearing; if west, by subtracting the variation. The concept is also related to azimuth, which is a general term for a directional angle in navigation and surveying.

Applications of the Kompasswinkel include navigation, orienteering, surveying, and mapmaking, where precise directional measurements are essential. It is a foundational concept in conjunction with other directional quantities such as azimuths, bearings, and declination.

See also: azimuth, bearing, true bearing, magnetic declination, compass.