What is altitude?

Master the Navigation, Seamanship, and Shiphandling (NSS) – Officer of the Deck (OOD) Phase 2 Exam with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare comprehensively for your test!

Multiple Choice

What is altitude?

Altitude is the angular height of a celestial body above the horizon, measured along the vertical circle that passes through the body and the zenith. It varies from 0° at the horizon up to 90° at the zenith. The angle between the celestial body and the zenith is the zenith distance (90° minus altitude). The distance to the horizon is a linear distance, not an angle, and the motion of the sun describes how the Sun moves across the sky over time, not the instantaneous height of a body above the horizon. So the correct understanding is the angle between the horizon and the celestial body.

Altitude is the angular height of a celestial body above the horizon, measured along the vertical circle that passes through the body and the zenith. It varies from 0° at the horizon up to 90° at the zenith. The angle between the celestial body and the zenith is the zenith distance (90° minus altitude). The distance to the horizon is a linear distance, not an angle, and the motion of the sun describes how the Sun moves across the sky over time, not the instantaneous height of a body above the horizon. So the correct understanding is the angle between the horizon and the celestial body.

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