Description:
- Object ID: ALSA 2014.03.01
- Made by: Keuffel & Esser Co
- Model: Astro MK II
- Serial Number: 103971
- Date Made: Circa 1943
- Approximate size: 20 cm (h) X 10 cm (w) X 13 cm (l)
- Accessories: Wooden case, instructions
- Condition: Good
Commentary:
Although called a compass the Astro Compass MKII is used to determine the direction of true north by the position of celestrical objects such as stars and the sun. It was used close to the north and south poles as the closer one gets to the magnetic poles the less accurate a magnetic compass becomes. It was adopted by the Royal Airforce and used in the Second World War and beyond. Although the astro compass was orginally designed for aircraft navagation near the poles it was also used on land for surveying and mapping near the poles.
With the compass is a wooden case with the following printed on it “ASTRO COMPASS MK II, REF. NO. 6A/1174, CANADA, DOMINION ELECTRIC PROTECTION COMPANY.” The Dominion Electric Protection Co. Toronto, manufactored this model. Also included are instructions with the title “Using the Astro-compass to Study Solar Access.”. It includes four folded sheets (28 cm X 22 cm) comprised of 7 pages of text.
Source of Object: Donated by Dianne L. Lovse, part of the estate of John Lovse, ALS. There is no record of how John acquired it or what he used it for.
Notes: The Society has only one in their collection.
References: For more information see You Tube video “Astrocompass Mk.II: Tools for Northern Navigation:” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBScbuBYv0w
Description by: Ed Titanich October 14, 2024 and Gordon Olsson on November 2, 2025