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To convert from degree (deg) to arcsecond (arcsec), use the following formula:
Let's convert 5 degree (deg) to arcsecond (arcsec).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 degree (deg) is equal to arcsecond (arcsec).
Here are some quick reference conversions from degree (deg) to arcsecond (arcsec):
| degrees | arcseconds |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 deg | arcsec |
| 0.001 deg | arcsec |
| 0.1 deg | arcsec |
| 1 deg | arcsec |
| 2 deg | arcsec |
| 3 deg | arcsec |
| 4 deg | arcsec |
| 5 deg | arcsec |
| 6 deg | arcsec |
| 7 deg | arcsec |
| 8 deg | arcsec |
| 9 deg | arcsec |
| 10 deg | arcsec |
| 20 deg | arcsec |
| 30 deg | arcsec |
| 40 deg | arcsec |
| 50 deg | arcsec |
| 100 deg | arcsec |
| 1000 deg | arcsec |
| 10000 deg | arcsec |
In geometry and everyday life, we measure angles using degrees.
A degree (represented by the universal symbol °) is the basic unit for measuring rotation. It helps us describe the amount of turn between two lines that meet at a point.
For instance, a perfect corner, like the edge of a book, is a 90° right angle, and one complete, full-circle rotation measures 360°.
The standard of a circle containing 360 degrees (360°) originated with the ancient Babylonians.
They used a base-60 (sexagesimal) number system, and 360 was a perfect number for them because it is highly divisible. Its large number of factors made it incredibly easy to perform fractional calculations in fields like astronomy and geometry.
For fields that require extreme precision, like astronomy, cartography (map-making), and GPS navigation, a single degree is broken down into even smaller units:
This system ensures that even the tiniest angles can be measured with high accuracy.
An arcsecond (arcsec) is a tiny unit of angular measurement, equal to 1/3600th of a degree.
To put that in perspective, one arcsecond is roughly the angular size of a dime viewed from over a mile away. As a unit in the International System of Units (SI), it's essential for measuring extremely small angles with high precision.
Arcseconds are fundamental in astronomy for measuring the apparent size and separation of celestial objects as seen from Earth.
Because stars and galaxies are so distant, their angular size in the sky is incredibly small. Astronomers use arcseconds to precisely quantify the separation between double stars, the diameter of distant galaxies, and the intricate details of nebulae.
This level of precision is also critical for calculating stellar parallax. This is a method used to determine the distances to nearby stars by measuring their slight shift in position against a distant background as the Earth orbits the Sun over six months.
The arcsecond is directly used to define the parsec (pc), a primary unit for measuring astronomical distances.
A parsec is defined as the distance at which a star would have a parallax angle of exactly one arcsecond. In other words, if an object is one parsec away, it will appear to shift by one arcsecond in the sky as the Earth moves from one side of its orbit to the other.
This direct relationship makes the arcsecond indispensable for building the cosmic distance ladder and mapping the vastness of space.
Beyond the cosmos, arcseconds are crucial for high-precision geography, cartography, and navigation right here on Earth.
Latitude and longitude coordinates are expressed in degrees, minutes, and arcseconds. One arcsecond of latitude corresponds to a nearly constant distance of about 30.92 meters (101.4 feet) on the Earth's surface.
This allows for the highly accurate location pinpointing that is essential for modern GPS systems, land surveying, aviation, and any application requiring precise geographic positioning.