From the August 2011 issue

What do the terms arcminutes (‘) and arcseconds (“) mean?

Dennis Holt, Concordia, Kansas
By | Published: August 29, 2011 | Last updated on May 18, 2023

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Astronomers utilize angular measurement techniques for determining the spatial separation between celestial objects.
  • The methodology involves measuring the angular distance or size.
  • Angular measurements are employed to quantify the apparent separation of objects in the sky.
  • The described technique pertains to the determination of angular size and separation of astronomical entities.
Arcminutes
William Zuback

Astronomers use them to measure the separation between two objects, or the angular size of an object.