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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

altazimuth

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 Early American Scientific Instruments and Their Makers by Silvio A. Bedini

Cassini, moreover, set up an altazimuth in 1678, and employed from about 1682 a “parallactic machine,” provided with clockwork to enable it to follow the diurnal motion.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 "Arundel, Thomas" to "Athens" by Various

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 Myths and Marvels of Astronomy by Richard A. (Richard Anthony) Proctor

In 1847 an altazimuth was erected, designed by Airy to enable observations of the moon to be made not only on the meridian, but whenever she might be visible.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

The instruments provided for the journey consisted of two barometers, two thermometers, two compasses, a sextant, two chronometers, an artificial horizon, and an altazimuth, to throw out the height of distant and inaccessible objects.

From Five Weeks in a Balloon by Jules Verne

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