altazimuth

American  

[al-taz-uh-muhth] / ælˈtæz ə məθ /

noun

Astronomy.

1. an instrument for determining both the altitude and the azimuth of a heavenly body.

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altazimuth British  

/ ælˈtæzɪməθ /

noun

1. an instrument for measuring the altitude and azimuth of a celestial body by the horizontal and vertical rotation of a telescope

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Etymology

Origin of altazimuth

First recorded in 1855–60; alt(itude) + azimuth

Example Sentences

Telescope, consisting of a brass tube 3-1/2 in. long with an aperture of 2-3/4 in.; on its original brass tripod, with a serviceable altazimuth mounting.

From Project Gutenberg

The altazimuth can thus determine the altitude and azimuth of objects, hence the name.

From Project Gutenberg

This may be furnished either with an equatorial bearing for the telescope, or an altazimuth arrangement which permits both up-and-down and horizontal motions.

From Project Gutenberg

He himself, however, by much more exact observations, with an excellent altazimuth, reduced the alleged error from 20 minutes to only 4-1⁄2, or to 9⁄40ths of its formerly supposed value.

From Project Gutenberg

The instruments used were altazimuths, constructed under the direction of Prof. Mohn, specially for measuring the parallax of the aurora borealis.

From Project Gutenberg