Degrees To Seconds Converter
Convert angles from decimal degrees to arcseconds for highly precise measurements in fields like astronomy and optics.
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A Guide to Converting Degrees to Arcseconds
What is a Degrees to Seconds Converter?
A Degrees to Seconds Converter is a tool for converting an angle's measurement from degrees into arcseconds (or seconds of arc). An arcsecond is a very fine unit of angular measurement, used for extremely precise applications in fields like astronomy, optometry, and navigation.
- Degree (°): The standard unit of angle, with 360° in a full circle.
- Arcsecond (''): A unit equal to 1/60th of an arcminute, which itself is 1/60th of a degree. Therefore, there are 3,600 arcseconds in one degree.
How to Use the Degrees to Seconds Converter
Our converter is designed for straightforward calculations.
- Enter the angle in degrees: Input the value you want to convert.
- View the result: The tool will instantly display the equivalent angle in arcseconds.
The Conversion Formula
The conversion is based on the definition of an arcsecond.
$$ 1 \text{ degree} = 3600 \text{ arcseconds} $$
The formula for the conversion is:
$$ \text{Seconds} = \text{Degrees} \times 3600 $$
Practical Example: Telescope Resolution
The resolving power of a high-end telescope might be described as 0.1 arcseconds. An amateur astronomer wants to understand how small of an angle this is in degrees. While our calculator goes from degrees to seconds, we can do the reverse math.
- Known Value: 0.1''
- Reverse Calculation: Degrees = 0.1 / 3600 ≈ 0.0000277°
- Using the calculator: To check this, you could enter "0.0000277" in the degrees field to get a result of approximately 0.1 arcseconds.
This demonstrates the extreme precision these units represent. For other angle conversions, you can use our general Angle Converter or the Degrees to Minutes Converter. To work with all DMS units, the DMS Calculator is a great choice.
For more on angular resolution in telescopes, the NASA website provides a wealth of information. To understand how these angles are used in mapping, you can visit the National Geographic Maps site.
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