Degrees To Seconds Converter
Convert an angle from decimal degrees to degrees, minutes, and arcseconds. Useful for precise angular measurements.
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High-Precision Angular Measurement
The Conversion Formula
The relationship is based on a sexagesimal (base-60) system, similar to time.
- 1 Degree (°) = 60 Arcminutes (')
- 1 Arcminute (') = 60 Arcseconds (")
Therefore, to find the number of arcseconds in one degree, we multiply:
1 Degree = 60 minutes/degree × 60 seconds/minute = 3,600 Arcseconds
This provides our conversion formulas:
- Degrees to Arcseconds: Arcseconds = Degrees × 3600
- Arcseconds to Degrees: Degrees = Arcseconds / 3600
Conversion Examples
| Degrees (°) | Arcseconds (") |
|---|---|
| 0.001° | 3.6" |
| 0.1° | 360" |
| 1° | 3,600" |
| 5° | 18,000" |
Practical Applications
- Astronomy: The angular size of distant galaxies or the separation between close stars is measured in arcseconds. The Hubble Space Telescope has a resolution of about 0.05 arcseconds.
- Cartography and Surveying: GPS coordinates are often given in degrees, minutes, and seconds for maximum precision in locating a point on Earth.
- Ballistics: In long-range shooting, an MOA (Minute of Angle) is a common unit, which is closely related to arcminutes.
FAQ
What is the symbol for an arcsecond?
The symbol for an arcsecond is the double prime character ("). For example, 1.5 arcseconds is written as 1.5".
How small is an arcsecond?
An arcsecond is 1/3600th of a degree. To visualize it, an arcsecond is roughly the angle subtended by a US dime viewed from a distance of 2.5 miles (about 4 kilometers).
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