
gyroscopic compass
A gyroscopic compass is a navigation device that uses a spinning gyroscope to determine true north. It relies on the principle that a gyroscope maintains its orientation in space due to conservation of angular momentum. The compass's internal mechanism senses the Earth's rotation and aligns itself accordingly, providing a stable directional reference regardless of the vessel’s movement or external magnetic interference. This makes it highly accurate for navigation at sea or in aviation, where precise heading information is crucial. Essentially, it uses physics principles to reliably tell you which way is north, independent of magnetic fields.