The star represents the true north on what element of a nautical chart?

The correct answer highlights the role of the compass rose in navigating and understanding nautical charts. A compass rose is a figure displaying the orientation of the cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west—on a chart. The star typically shown at the top of the compass rose indicates true north, which is crucial for marine navigation. Understanding true north is essential when plotting a course or determining the direction toward a destination.

In contrast, the chart grid is a network laid over the chart to aid in location and measurement, but it does not specifically indicate directions. Latitude and longitude lines represent measurements of distance in degrees but do not denote north or south. True north is a navigational reference critical to maritime operations, making the compass rose the relevant tool for identifying it on a nautical chart.