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

See Examples For:

altazimuth

To render the lunar observations more continuous, Airy employed Troughton’s successor, James Simms, in conjunction with the engineers, Ransome and May, to construct an altazimuth with three-foot circles, and a five-foot telescope, in 1847.

From History of Astronomy by Forbes, George

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

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 Bedini, Silvio A.

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 Proctor, Richard A. (Richard Anthony)

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

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 1 A to Amide by Various