Navigation tool
Star Compass.
Points toward Polaris (true north), shows magnetic declination for your location, and lists tonight's brightest visible stars.
Star Compass
Points toward Polaris (true north) and identifies tonight's bright stars using your heading and location.
Needs location + compass sensor
True North
—
direction of Polaris
Declination
—
magnetic vs true
Tonight's Bright Stars
Best Stargazing
—
astronomical twilight ends
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Frequently asked questions.
What is magnetic declination?
Magnetic declination is the angle between magnetic north (where your compass points) and true geographic north (the direction to the North Pole). It varies by location — in some places it's nearly zero; in others it's 20°+ east or west.
How do I find true north with a compass?
Add or subtract your local magnetic declination from your compass reading. If declination is +5° (east), true north is 5° to the right of your compass needle. This tool calculates and displays that offset automatically.
Why is Polaris special for navigation?
Polaris (the North Star) sits almost exactly above Earth's geographic North Pole, so it stays fixed in the sky while all other stars appear to rotate around it. Finding Polaris gives you true north to within about 0.7°.
How are visible stars calculated?
We compute each star's altitude above your horizon using standard astronomical formulas. Stars with altitude above 15° are listed as tonight's bright stars.