Croom in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Compass Rose
The compass rose is a feature that is well known to those who fly or pilot aircraft. They are an integral part of almost every navigational system including aeronautical, nautical, global positioning systems (GPS) and others. A compass rose can be found at most general aviation airports and is used to calibrate the aircraft's magnetic compass.
In the early days of flying, before radio navigational aids, the compass was the most important instrument a pilot could use for navigation. Prior to flight, the pilot had to align the compass to magnetic north. A compass rose would allow the pilot to calibrate the compass by lining up the aircraft on the north pointing axis.
A compass rose shows both true and magnetic north. True north refers to the geographic location of the North Pole. Magnetic north refers to the direction to which the north pole of a magnetic object (like a compass) will point.
Erected by Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Communications • Exploration.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John W. Greene (here, next to this marker); Columbia Air Center (here, next to this marker); The Cloud Club (here, next to this marker); The Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Driving Tour (within shouting distance of this marker); Eastern Bluebird (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Aviation History (approx. 0.3 miles away); Man and the River (approx. half a mile away); Woodland Indian Villages on the Patuxent River (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Croom.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 297 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 16, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
