True north is a navigational term referring to the direction of the North Pole relative to the navigator's position. There are several traditions of navigation. ... A North Pole is the northernmost point on any planet. ...

True north is compared to magnetic north (the direction of the Magnetic North Pole) and grid north (the direction northwards along the grid lines of a map projection). This is about the geographic meaning of North Pole. ... This is about the geographic meaning of North Pole. ... Grid north is a navigational term referring to the direction northwards along the grid lines of a map projection. ... The Mercator projection shows courses of constant bearing as straight lines. ...

The direction of true north is marked in the skies by the celestial north pole. For most practical purposes, this is the position of Polaris. However, due to the precession of the Earth's axis, true north rotates in an arc that takes approximately 25,000 years to complete. Currently, in 2002, Polaris is at its closest approach to the celestial north pole. 2,000 years ago, the closest star to the celestial north pole was Thuban. Polaris or Cynosura (α UMi / α Ursae Minoris / Alpha Ursae Minoris) is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor. ... Precession (also called gyroscopic precession) is the phenomenon by which the axis of a spinning object (e. ... The axis of rotation of a rotating body is a line such that the distance between any point on the line and any point of the body remains constant under the rotation. ... The star (or star system) Thuban, also known as α Draconis (alpha Draconis), is a star in the constellation of Draco. ...

On maps issued by the United States Geological Survey, and the U.S. military, true north is marked with a line terminating in a five-pointed star. Maps issued by the Ordnance Survey contain a diagram showing the difference between true north, grid north and magnetic north at a point on the sheet. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a scientific agency of the United States government. ... Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. ...

The True North is a poetic name for Canada, first used by Alfred Lord Tennyson and popularized by the national anthem "O Canada." Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson (August 6, 1809 - October 6, 1892) is generally regarded as one of the greatest English poets. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is formally recognized by a countrys government as their states official national song. ... O Canada is the national anthem of Canada. ...