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unstable; unsteady.
physics. having no tendency to take a definite position or direction.
historical examples

this magnet is capable of rendering the needle less sensitive or of making it astatic.
scientific american supplement, no. 421, january 26, 1884 various

by arranging two magnetized needles with their poles opposite each other, fig. 92, an astatic needle is formed.
things a boy should know about electricity thomas m. (thomas matthew) st. john

fig. 67 shows an astatic galvanometer for measuring weak currents.
things a boy should know about electricity thomas m. (thomas matthew) st. john

this is a degree of sensitiveness that cannot be obtained with any of the astatic instruments known up to the present.
scientific american supplement, no. 492, june 6, 1885 various

fig. 139 shows how a current can be generated by two coils, h being connected to an astatic galvanoscope and e to a battery.
things a boy should know about electricity thomas m. (thomas matthew) st. john

(a) join the ends of coil h (fig. 164) to the astatic galvanoscope.
the study of elementary electricity and magnetism by experiment thomas m. st. john

there is much worry and misery in the world because so many are astatic, like a comp-ss that has lost its loadstone.
evening round up william crosbie hunter

an astatic needle is a combination of magnetised needles with their poles turned opposite ways.
torpedoes and torpedo warfare c. w. sleeman

if two magnetic needles of equal size and astatic galvanometers.
encyclopaedia britannica, 11th edition, volume 11, slice 4 various

such a helix is caused to stand between the two poles n’s’ of an astatic system.
fragments of science, v. 1-2 john tyndall

adjective
not static; unstable
(physics)

having no tendency to -ssume any particular position or orientation
(of a galvanometer) having two mutually compensating magnets arranged so that the instrument is independent of the earth’s magnetic field

adj.

1827, from greek astatos “unstable, not steadfast,” from a-, privative prefix (see a- (3)), + statos “placed, standing,” from pie root -sta- (see stet).

astatic a·stat·ic (ə-stāt’ĭk)
adj.

relating to astasia.

unsteady; unstable.