north—The primary reference direction relative to the earth; the directs indicated by 000° in any system other than relative. True north is direction of the north geographical pole; magnetic north, the direction north as determined by the earth’s magnetic lines of force; compass north, the direction north as indicated by a magnetic compass; grid north, an arbitrary reference direction used with grid navigation.

north, magnetic—The direction of the North-seeking end of a magnetic compass needle not subject to transient or local disturbance.

North, true—A term used to refer to: 1) an astronomic meridian; 2) a geodetic meridian; 3) the direction of North from magnetic North corrected for declination; 4) the meridional direction assumed in a survey description; 5) the cardinal directions run in the Public Land Survey. Since the term is subject to several interpretations it should not be used. See also azimuth, astronomic; azimuth, geodetic; azimuth, grid; azimuth, magnetic.

North American Datum—See Datum, North American; Datum, North American, 1927. See also Datum, North American, 1983.

North American Datum of 1927—See Datum, North American, 1927; Datum, North American. See also Datum, North American, 1983.

north point—An arrow-like symbol indicating the direction and the type of meridian to which the control framework of a map or drawing is referenced. Auxiliary arrows may be shown indicating the direction of other meridians which may be of interest to the user of the map. A star often is used to indicate astronomic north, a full barb to indicate grid north, and a half-barb to indicate magnetic north. Where magnetic meridians are shown, the date and declination from astronomic north should be indicated.

North star—See Polaris; pointers.

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Source: NSPS “Definitions of Surveying and Related Terms“, used with permission.

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