Azimuth

Overview Azimuth is the horizontal angle measured clockwise from a reference direction (typically true north, magnetic north, or grid north) to a line connecting an observer to a point of interest. Expressed in degrees from 0° to 360°, azimuth provides a precise and unambiguous way to describe direction. Due north is 0° (or 360°), east is 90°, south is 180°, and west is 270°.

True azimuth (geodetic azimuth) is measured relative to true north as defined by the Earth's rotation axis. Magnetic azimuth is measured relative to magnetic north as indicated by a compass, differing from true north by the local magnetic declination. Grid azimuth is measured relative to grid north in a projected coordinate system, differing from true north by the convergence angle. Converting between these reference directions requires knowledge of the local declination and convergence values, which vary by location and time.

Surveying uses azimuths to define property boundaries, establish control networks, and describe traverse courses. Navigation systems express headings and bearings as azimuths for route planning and guidance. Military applications use azimuths extensively for targeting, reconnaissance, and field navigation. GISGISGeographic Information Systems (GIS) enable users to analyze and visualize spatial data to uncover patterns, relation... viewshed analysisViewshed AnalysisViewshed analysis determines the areas visible from one or more observation points across a terrain surface. It is us... uses azimuth to define the directional limits of visibility from observation points. Solar energy analysis calculates the azimuth of the sun at different times to assess solar exposure. Telecommunications uses azimuth to orient directional antennas.

GISGISGeographic Information Systems (GIS) enable users to analyze and visualize spatial data to uncover patterns, relation... software calculates azimuths between features using inverse geodetic formulas on the ellipsoid for high accuracy over long distances, or planar trigonometry for local calculations. The forward azimuth from point A to point B typically differs from the reverse azimuth from B to A due to meridian convergence on the curved Earth. Functions like ST_Azimuth in PostGISPostGISPostGIS is an open-source extension for PostgreSQL databases that introduces support for geographic objects, allowing... and various ArcGISArcGISArcGIS is a leading GIS platform offering tools for spatial analysis, mapping, and data visualization. It serves a wi... tools compute azimuths programmatically for spatial analysis.