What is "local attraction"

Local \Lo"cal\ (l[=o]"kal), a. [L. localis, fr. locus place: cf. F. local. See Lieu, Locus.] Of or pertaining to a particular place, or to a definite region or portion of space; restricted to one place or region; as, a local custom. Gives to airy nothing A local habitation and a name. --Shak. Local actions (Law), actions such as must be brought in a particular county, where the cause arises; -- distinguished from transitory actions. Local affection (Med.), a disease or ailment confined to a particular part or organ, and not directly affecting the system. Local attraction (Magnetism), an attraction near a compass, causing its needle to deviate from its proper direction, especially on shipboard. Local battery (Teleg.), the battery which actuates the recording instruments of a telegraphic station, as distinguished from the battery furnishing a current for the line. Local circuit (Teleg.), the circuit of the local battery. Local color.

1. (Paint.) The color which belongs to an object, and is not caused by accidental influences, as of reflection, shadow, etc.

2. (Literature) Peculiarities of the place and its inhabitants where the scene of an action or story is laid.

   Local option, the right or obligation of determining by popular vote within certain districts, as in each county, city, or town, whether the sale of alcoholic beverages within the district shall be allowed.

n. A magnetic attraction near a compass, causing its needle to deviate from its proper direction, especially on shipboard.

While compass surveying, the magnetic needle is sometimes disturbed from its normal position under the influence of external attractive forces. Such a disturbing influence is called as local attraction. The external forces are produced by sources of local attraction which may be current carrying wire (magnetic materials) or metal objects. The term is also used to denote amount of deviation of the needle from its normal position. It mostly causes errors in observations while surveying and thus suitable methods are employed to neglect these errors.