Cosmos


COSMOS - The SAO Encyclopedia of Astronomy › A

Azimuth

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The horizonal coordinate system depends on the location of the observer and the time of the observation. The azimuth measures the angular distance of the object east from north and parallel to the observer’s horizon.
 Along with the altitude, the ‘azimuth’ of an object is used to define its position on the celestial sphere in the horizontal coordinate system. Specifically, it is a measure of the angular distance of an object measured east from north and parallel to the horizon. It ranges from 0o for objects located due North, to 90o due East, to 180o due South to 270o for objects located due West of the observer.

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