Altitude
Altitude
Altitude = measured above the horizon in degrees. Altitude in this sense is measured in angular degrees, and has nothing to do with height above the ground or elevation above sea level.
Test your understanding:
- What is the altitude of Polaris as seen from your location anywhere in the northern hemisphere?
- What is the altitude of a star if it is located at the observer's zenith?
- Is it meaningful to speak of altitudes greater than 90 degrees?