An arcsecond is a fascinating unit of angular measurement used extensively in astronomy and geodesy. To grasp its minuteness, consider that an arcsecond is 1/3600th of a degree, and there are 360 degrees in a full circle. For practical perspective, the apparent size of a U.S. dime viewed from about 4 kilometers (or 2.5 miles) away roughly equals an arcsecond.
In the realm of astronomy, arcseconds are crucial for measuring celestial events and distances. The Hubble Space Telescope’s resolution power is often celebrated for its ability to distinguish details as tiny as about 0.05 arcseconds—akin to seeing a bumblebee 800 kilometers away! This unit’s precision is vital for understanding the cosmos, from determining stellar positions to mapping distant galaxies.
The arcminute, a unit of angular measurement, is an intriguing relic from astronomy and navigation. One arcminute equals 1/60th of a degree, and there are 60 arcminutes in a degree. To grasp its precision, consider that the human eye can typically perceive an angular resolution of about one arcminute, which is roughly the apparent size of a dime viewed from 75 feet away. This unit is essential in celestial mapping; for instance, the star Sirius has an apparent diameter of about six arcseconds, a subdivision of the arcminute, spotlighting just how detailed our measurement tools need to be.
Interestingly, the arcminute laid the groundwork for innovations like lunar distance in celestial navigation. Sailors in the 18th century used this unit to calculate longitudes, revolutionizing global exploration. Its precision helped navigate the vast oceans, turning the arcminute into a metric of discovery and adventure, not just measurement.
| Arcseconds | Arcminutes |
|---|---|
0
arcsec
|
0
arcmin
|
50
arcsec
|
0.833333
arcmin
|
100
arcsec
|
1.66667
arcmin
|
150
arcsec
|
2.5
arcmin
|
200
arcsec
|
3.33333
arcmin
|
250
arcsec
|
4.16667
arcmin
|
300
arcsec
|
5
arcmin
|
350
arcsec
|
5.83333
arcmin
|
400
arcsec
|
6.66667
arcmin
|
450
arcsec
|
7.5
arcmin
|
500
arcsec
|
8.33333
arcmin
|
550
arcsec
|
9.16667
arcmin
|
600
arcsec
|
10
arcmin
|
650
arcsec
|
10.83333
arcmin
|
700
arcsec
|
11.66667
arcmin
|
750
arcsec
|
12.5
arcmin
|
800
arcsec
|
13.33333
arcmin
|
850
arcsec
|
14.16667
arcmin
|
900
arcsec
|
15
arcmin
|
950
arcsec
|
15.83333
arcmin
|
1000
arcsec
|
16.66667
arcmin
|
1050
arcsec
|
17.5
arcmin
|
1100
arcsec
|
18.33333
arcmin
|
1150
arcsec
|
19.16667
arcmin
|
1200
arcsec
|
20
arcmin
|
1250
arcsec
|
20.83333
arcmin
|
1300
arcsec
|
21.66667
arcmin
|
1350
arcsec
|
22.5
arcmin
|
1400
arcsec
|
23.33333
arcmin
|
1450
arcsec
|
24.16667
arcmin
|
1500
arcsec
|
25
arcmin
|
1550
arcsec
|
25.83333
arcmin
|
1600
arcsec
|
26.66667
arcmin
|
1650
arcsec
|
27.5
arcmin
|
1700
arcsec
|
28.33333
arcmin
|
1750
arcsec
|
29.16667
arcmin
|
1800
arcsec
|
30
arcmin
|
1850
arcsec
|
30.83333
arcmin
|
1900
arcsec
|
31.66667
arcmin
|
1950
arcsec
|
32.5
arcmin
|
2000
arcsec
|
33.33333
arcmin
|
2050
arcsec
|
34.16667
arcmin
|
2100
arcsec
|
35
arcmin
|
2150
arcsec
|
35.83333
arcmin
|
2200
arcsec
|
36.66667
arcmin
|
2250
arcsec
|
37.5
arcmin
|
2300
arcsec
|
38.33333
arcmin
|
2350
arcsec
|
39.16667
arcmin
|
2400
arcsec
|
40
arcmin
|
2450
arcsec
|
40.83333
arcmin
|
2500
arcsec
|
41.66667
arcmin
|
2550
arcsec
|
42.5
arcmin
|
2600
arcsec
|
43.33333
arcmin
|
2650
arcsec
|
44.16667
arcmin
|
2700
arcsec
|
45
arcmin
|
2750
arcsec
|
45.83333
arcmin
|
2800
arcsec
|
46.66667
arcmin
|
2850
arcsec
|
47.5
arcmin
|
2900
arcsec
|
48.33333
arcmin
|
2950
arcsec
|
49.16667
arcmin
|
3000
arcsec
|
50
arcmin
|
3050
arcsec
|
50.83333
arcmin
|
3100
arcsec
|
51.66667
arcmin
|
3150
arcsec
|
52.5
arcmin
|
3200
arcsec
|
53.33333
arcmin
|
3250
arcsec
|
54.16667
arcmin
|
3300
arcsec
|
55
arcmin
|
3350
arcsec
|
55.83333
arcmin
|
3400
arcsec
|
56.66667
arcmin
|
3450
arcsec
|
57.5
arcmin
|
3500
arcsec
|
58.33333
arcmin
|
3550
arcsec
|
59.16667
arcmin
|
3600
arcsec
|
60
arcmin
|
| Conversion | Call to Action |
|---|---|
| Arcseconds to Radians | Go to converter |
| Arcseconds to Degrees | Go to converter |
| Arcseconds to Gradians | Go to converter |