Definition

Noun: - Angular separation: The angle formed by two lines of sight from an observer to two distinct objects. It is a measure of the apparent separation between objects in the sky or space, expressed in degrees, arcminutes, or arcseconds.

Usage

This term is used primarily in astronomy, navigation, and geometry to describe the apparent distance between two points as seen from a specific observation point, rather than their actual physical distance.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The angular distance between the two stars was measured to be 5 degrees.
  • Sailors used the sextant to calculate the angular distance of the sun above the horizon.

Advanced Usage

• "Small angular distance": Often used to describe objects that appear very close together in the sky.
  • The two planets will be in conjunction, separated by a small angular distance of only 0.3 degrees.

Variants and Related Words

• Angular separation (n): A direct synonym for angular distance.
• Apparent distance (n): A related term emphasizing the perceived, not linear, separation.

Synonyms

• Angular separation
• Apparent separation

Related Phrases

• Angular diameter: The angular distance from one side of a celestial object to the opposite side, as seen from Earth.
  • The angular diameter of the full moon is about half a degree.

Noun

1. the angular separation between two objects as perceived by an observer
   • he recorded angular distances between the stars