magnetic latitude


magnetic latitude

[mag′ned·ik ′lad·ə‚tüd] (geophysics) Angular distance north or south of the magnetic equator.

Latitude, Magnetic

 

the angle ψ, determined from the equations tan ψ = (1/2) tan J, where J is the magnetic inclination (or magnetic dip). Magnetic latitude ranges from 0°, at the magnetic equator, to 90°, at the north and, correspondingly, south magnetic poles. The concept of magnetic latitude is used in all research involving the study of the physics of the magnetosphere, in particular, in the analysis of geophysical phenomena at magnetically conjugate points on the earth’s surface (points lying on one line of force of the geomagnetic field).

magnetic latitude

An angular distance north or south of the magnetic equator. If a magnet is freely suspended, the angle between the horizontal and the angle of inclination of the magnet that is influenced only by the earth's magnetic field will indicate the magnetic latitude. The angle is equal to the magnetic dip or the magnetic inclination. See magnetic dip.