The Astronomy Center has provided educational resources to introductory astronomy educators since 2003. Over the past 20 years, the rapid pace of discovery has rendered some of our linked resources obsolete. Thus, the Astronomy Center will be decommissioned on March 1, 2022. Our highest quality resources will be retained on ComPADRE.org.
First of several linked files, telling the early history of the compass (discovered in China) and how Robert Norman in 1581 showed the magnetic force was not horizontal but slanted downwards, followed by William Gilbert's demonstration that the Earth behaved like a giant magnet; two reviews of Gilbert's 1600 book "De Magnete" follow, as well as a modern version of one of Gilbert's experiments. The web collection also includes several sections for science teachers.
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/astronomy/items/detail.cfm?ID=1560">Stern, David. Magnetism before Gilbert - Discovery of the Magnetic Compass. September 27, 2004.</a>
Stern, D. (2004, September 27). Magnetism before Gilbert - Discovery of the Magnetic Compass. Retrieved April 20, 2025, from http://www.phy6.org/earthmag/upto1600.htm
Stern, David. Magnetism before Gilbert - Discovery of the Magnetic Compass. September 27, 2004. http://www.phy6.org/earthmag/upto1600.htm (accessed 20 April 2025).
Stern, David. Magnetism before Gilbert - Discovery of the Magnetic Compass. 2004. 27 Sep. 2004. 20 Apr. 2025 <http://www.phy6.org/earthmag/upto1600.htm>.
@misc{
Author = "David Stern",
Title = {Magnetism before Gilbert - Discovery of the Magnetic Compass},
Volume = {2025},
Number = {20 April 2025},
Month = {September 27, 2004},
Year = {2004}
}
%A David Stern %T Magnetism before Gilbert - Discovery of the Magnetic Compass %D September 27, 2004 %U http://www.phy6.org/earthmag/upto1600.htm %O text/html
%0 Electronic Source %A Stern, David %D September 27, 2004 %T Magnetism before Gilbert - Discovery of the Magnetic Compass %V 2025 %N 20 April 2025 %8 September 27, 2004 %9 text/html %U http://www.phy6.org/earthmag/upto1600.htm
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