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A degree (in full, a degree of arc, arc degree, or arcdegree), usually denoted by ° (the degree symbol), is a measurement of a plane angle in which one full rotation is 360 degrees. [4] It is not an SI unit—the SI unit of angular measure is the radian—but it is mentioned in the SI brochure as an accepted unit. [5]
The turn (symbol tr or pla) is a unit of plane angle measurement that is the measure of a complete angle—the angle subtended by a complete circle at its center. One turn is equal to 2π radians, 360 degrees or 400 gradians. As an angular unit, one turn also corresponds to one cycle (symbol cyc or c) [1] or to one revolution (symbol rev or r). [2]
The azimuth is the angle between the north vector and the star's vector on the horizontal plane. [2] Azimuth is usually measured in degrees (°), in the positive range 0° to 360° or in the signed range -180° to +180°.
An easy formula for these properties is that in any three points in any shape, there is a triangle formed. Triangle ABC (example) has 3 points, and therefore, three angles; angle A, angle B, and angle C. Angle A, B, and C will always, when put together, will form 360 degrees. So, ∠A + ∠B + ∠C = 360°
The angle expressed by another angular unit may then be obtained by multiplying the angle by a suitable conversion constant of the form k / 2 π , where k is the measure of a complete turn expressed in the chosen unit (for example, k = 360° for degrees or 400 grad for gradians):
The elevation is the signed angle from the x-y reference plane to the radial line segment OP, where positive angles are designated as upward, towards the zenith reference. Elevation is 90 degrees (= π / 2 radians) minus inclination. Thus, if the inclination is 60 degrees (= π / 3 radians), then the elevation is 30 degrees ...
The values of sine and cosine of 30 and 60 degrees are derived by analysis of the equilateral triangle. In an equilateral triangle, the 3 angles are equal and sum to 180°, therefore each corner angle is 60°. Bisecting one corner, the special right triangle with angles 30-60-90 is obtained.
The concepts of degrees, minutes, and seconds—as they relate to the measure of both angles and time—derive from Babylonian astronomy and time-keeping. Influenced by the Sumerians, the ancient Babylonians divided the Sun's perceived motion across the sky over the course of one full day into 360 degrees.