altazimuth

(redirected from altazimuths)
Also found in: Thesaurus, Encyclopedia.

alt·az·i·muth

(ăl-tăz′ə-məth)
n.
1. A mounting for astronomical telescopes that permits pointing adjustments in both altitude and azimuth.
2. A telescope having such a mounting.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

altazimuth

(ælˈtæzɪməθ)
n
(Astronomy) an instrument for measuring the altitude and azimuth of a celestial body by the horizontal and vertical rotation of a telescope
[C19: from alt(itude) + azimuth]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

alt•az•i•muth

(ælˈtæz ə məθ)

n.
an instrument for determining both the altitude and the azimuth of a heavenly body.
[1855–60; alt (itude) + azimuth]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun 1. altazimuth - an instrument that measures the altitude and azimuth of celestial bodies; used in navigation
measuring device, measuring instrument, measuring system - instrument that shows the extent or amount or quantity or degree of something
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
References in classic literature ?
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.
View in context
Equatorial mounts don't work smoothly near the celestial pole; Dobsonians and other altazimuths can't sweep directly overhead.
10 top telescope ideas of 1998
But altazimuths do not readily lend themselves to motorized operation, and you have to move the telescope in two directions simultaneously to track celestial targets.
Choosing your first telescope

Full browser ?