Altitude and azimuthazimuth
Altitude and azimuthazimuth, in astronomy, gunnery, navigation, and other fields, two coordinates describing the position of an object above Earth. Altitude in this sense is expressed as angular elevation (up to 90°) above the horizon. Azimuth is the number of degrees clockwise from due north (usually) to the object’s vertical circle (i.e., a great circle through the object and the zenith).
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Erik Gregersen.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Altitude and azimuthazimuth
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
10 November 2026
Access Date:
November 14, 2026