POLE. in geography, one of the Iwo extremi ties of the axis round which the earth revolves. They are therefore situated the one on the north and the other on the south side of the equator. and equidistant from all parts of it, or in latitude north and latitude 90' south, respectively. They arc called the North and South poles of the earth. In astronomy, the poles. which, for dis tinction's sake, are denominated eelrst int poles. are those points in the heavens to which the earth's axis is directed, and round which the heavens seem to revolve. The celestial poles are valuable points of reference to astronomers and geographers. so that the determination of their position in the heavens is a matter of the great est importance. no stars mark their exact situation (see Pori.; STAR). though there are minute telescopic stars only a few seconds from the North Pole. The position of the polar point is determined in 111e following manner: A bright star (generally the Pole star) is selected, and its position in its upper and its lower ettlininations (q.v.) is accurately noted,
with the meridian circle (q.v.) ; the point mid way between these t wo of the star is of heavens, The observation of the two positions of the slur must la. corrected for refraction, and it is for this reason that the Pole star is seleeted, since mreo of refraetion is mind) the same in both positions of the star. The term 'pole' has, however. a wider application in astronomy. as in spherical geometry. denoting the extremities of a line passing tlinaigh the centre of a great circle perpendicular to its plane; tints, we have the poles of the horizon (zenith and nadir), the poles of the Mirth', the poles of meridian. Pole in physics denotes those points of a body at which its attractive or repulsive energy is concentrated. See MAGNETIsm, TER RESTRIAL.
POLE (of a magnet). See AIAGNETISM.