angular distance

/ˌæŋgjələr ˌdɪstəns/

Other forms: angular distances

Definitions of angular distance

1. noun

   the angular separation between two objects as perceived by an observer
   “he recorded angular distances between the stars”

   types:

   latitude

   the angular distance between an imaginary line around a heavenly body parallel to its equator and the equator itself

   longitude

   the angular distance between a point on any meridian and the prime meridian at Greenwich

   celestial latitude, dec, declination

   (astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial body north or to the south of the celestial equator; expressed in degrees; used with right ascension to specify positions on the celestial sphere

   RA, celestial longitude, right ascension

   (astronomy) the equatorial coordinate specifying the angle, measured eastward along the celestial equator, from the vernal equinox to the intersection of the hour circle that passes through an object in the sky; usually expressed in hours and minutes and seconds; used with declination to specify positions on the celestial sphere

   HA, hour angle

   (astronomy) the angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing; the right ascension for an observer at a particular location and time of day

   true anomaly

   the angular distance of a point in an orbit past the point of periapsis measured in degrees

   type of:

   angle

   the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians