ARCSECOND Meaning and
Definition
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An arcsecond, abbreviated as "arcsec" or "as", is a unit of angular measurement commonly used in astronomy and physics. It is a subdivision of the degree and represents an extremely small angle.
One degree is divided into 60 arcminutes, and each arcminute is further divided into 60 arcseconds. Hence, one degree consists of 3,600 arcseconds. The concept of arcseconds allows for a more precise measurement of angles, especially in astronomical observations.
To visualize the magnitude of an arcsecond, imagine dividing a full circle into 360 degrees, then divide each degree into 60 smaller parts (arcminutes), and finally divide each arcminute into 60 even smaller parts (arcseconds). Therefore, an arcsecond is an incredibly minuscule fraction of a degree—roughly equivalent to the angle subtended by a human hair viewed from about 20 meters away.
Arcseconds are primarily employed in various astronomical applications, such as measuring the size of celestial objects or determining their separation and angular distances. These measurements play a crucial role in fields like astrometry, celestial navigation, and determining the position, motion, and parallax of celestial bodies.
In summary, an arcsecond is a unit of angular measurement equal to 1/3,600th of a degree or 1/1,296,000th of a full circle. Its small value allows for precise calculations and observations in astronomy and other sciences requiring precise angular measurements.
Common Misspellings for ARCSECOND
- zrcsecond
- srcsecond
- wrcsecond
- qrcsecond
- aecsecond
- adcsecond
- afcsecond
- atcsecond
- a5csecond
- a4csecond
- arxsecond
- arvsecond
- arfsecond
- ardsecond
- arcaecond
- arczecond
- arcxecond
- arcdecond
- arceecond
Etymology of ARCSECOND
The word "arcsecond" comes from the combination of two terms: "arc" and "second".
The term "arc" originates from the Latin word "arcus", meaning "bow" or "curve". In astronomy and geometry, an arc refers to a portion of a curve or a circular path. It is commonly used to define a fraction of a circle.
The term "second" comes from the Latin word "secundus", meaning "the following" or "the next". It originally denoted the ordinal number "2nd" in counting. However, in the context of time or angles, "second" specifically refers to 1/60th of a minute.
When combined together, "arcsecond" represents the small unit of measurement used to express angles or distances in astronomy. It signifies the 1/60th part of an arcminute, which itself is 1/60th part of a degree.
Idioms with the word ARCSECOND
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arcsecond
An arcsecond is a unit of angular measurement representing 1/3600 of a degree. It is commonly used in astronomy and navigation to describe very small angles.
Similar spelling words for ARCSECOND
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