gyrocompass

views updated May 14 2018

gyrocompass Navigational aid incorporating a continuously driven gyroscope. The spinning axis of the gyroscope is horizontal and its direction indicates true n, irrespective of the course or attitude of the craft. See also compass

gyrocompass

views updated May 14 2018

gy·ro·com·pass / ˈjīrōˌkəmpəs/ • n. a nonmagnetic compass in which the direction of true north is maintained by a continuously driven gyroscope whose axis is parallel to the earth's axis of rotation.

gyrocompass

views updated May 08 2018

gyrocompass The axis of a spinning gyroscope, within a set of gimbals, and with an unbalanced mass distribution, will precess about true North. Such an instrument can be used to make very precise determination of the direction of true North.