Second Converter
Convert Second to Minute Sidereal and more • 33 conversions
0
Unit Explanations
Second of Arc"
Source UnitA second of arc, also known as an arcsecond, is a unit of angular measurement that is equal to 1/3600 of a degree or 1/60 of an arcminute. It is used primarily in fields that require precise angular measurement, such as astronomy, navigation, and mapping. An arcsecond is a small unit, reflecting the requirement for high precision in measurements of celestial objects and angles on the Earth's surface. The notation for a second of arc is usually represented by a double prime symbol ("), following the degree and arcminute symbols.
Current Use
Today, the second of arc is indispensable in astronomy for measuring the positions and movements of celestial objects with high precision. It is also used in geodesy and cartography to define the precise angular relationships between points on the Earth. Additionally, arcseconds are employed in the calibration of telescopes and other optical instruments where small angular measurements are critical.
Fun Fact
An arcsecond is roughly the angle subtended by a U.S. dime at a distance of 2.4 miles.
Minute Siderealmin_sid
Target UnitA minute sidereal is a unit of time that is defined as 1/60th of a sidereal hour, which is based on the Earth's rotation relative to distant stars rather than the Sun. This results in a duration of approximately 59.83 seconds in standard time. The sidereal minute is particularly relevant in fields such as astronomy and navigation, where precise measurements of time are crucial for locating celestial objects and ensuring accurate positioning. This unit allows astronomers to track the apparent motion of stars and other celestial bodies more accurately than solar time.
Current Use
Today, the minute sidereal is primarily used in astronomy and astrophysics for calculations involving the positioning of stars and celestial objects. Observatories and planetariums utilize this unit to create star charts and to program telescopes for precise tracking of celestial phenomena. It is also used in navigational calculations for spacecraft and satellites, where time measurement relative to the stars is essential for accurate positioning and alignment.
Fun Fact
A sidereal day is about 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds long, which is approximately 4 minutes shorter than a solar day.
All Time Conversions
74 convertersPopular Conversions
📐Conversion Formula
= × 1.00000How to Convert
To convert to , multiply the value by 1.00000. This conversion factor represents the ratio between these two units.
Quick Examples
💡 Pro Tip: For the reverse conversion ( → ), divide by the conversion factor instead of multiplying.
Second of Arc
angle • Non-SI
Definition
A second of arc, also known as an arcsecond, is a unit of angular measurement that is equal to 1/3600 of a degree or 1/60 of an arcminute. It is used primarily in fields that require precise angular measurement, such as astronomy, navigation, and mapping. An arcsecond is a small unit, reflecting the requirement for high precision in measurements of celestial objects and angles on the Earth's surface. The notation for a second of arc is usually represented by a double prime symbol ("), following the degree and arcminute symbols.
History & Origin
The concept of dividing a circle into degrees and further into minutes and seconds dates back to ancient Babylonian astronomers, who used a sexagesimal (base-60) number system. The division of a degree into 60 parts, known as minutes, and each minute into 60 parts, known as seconds, allowed for more precise measurement and calculation of angles in the study of celestial bodies. This system became widespread with the work of Greek and later Islamic scholars, who advanced astronomical knowledge and navigation.
Etymology: The term 'second' in this context comes from the Latin 'secunda', meaning 'second division' or 'second order', referring to its place in the hierarchical division of degrees.
Current Use
Today, the second of arc is indispensable in astronomy for measuring the positions and movements of celestial objects with high precision. It is also used in geodesy and cartography to define the precise angular relationships between points on the Earth. Additionally, arcseconds are employed in the calibration of telescopes and other optical instruments where small angular measurements are critical.
💡 Fun Facts
- •An arcsecond is roughly the angle subtended by a U.S. dime at a distance of 2.4 miles.
- •The Hubble Space Telescope can resolve images with an angular resolution of about 0.05 arcseconds.
- •In one parsec, which is a unit of astronomical distance, a star would have a parallax angle of one arcsecond.
📏 Real-World Examples
🔗 Related Units
Minute Sidereal
time • Non-SI
Definition
A minute sidereal is a unit of time that is defined as 1/60th of a sidereal hour, which is based on the Earth's rotation relative to distant stars rather than the Sun. This results in a duration of approximately 59.83 seconds in standard time. The sidereal minute is particularly relevant in fields such as astronomy and navigation, where precise measurements of time are crucial for locating celestial objects and ensuring accurate positioning. This unit allows astronomers to track the apparent motion of stars and other celestial bodies more accurately than solar time.
History & Origin
The concept of a sidereal minute has its roots in the ancient observations of celestial bodies, where early astronomers noted the difference between solar and sidereal days. The sidereal day, approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds, is the duration it takes for the Earth to rotate on its axis relative to the stars. The division of this period into sidereal minutes followed naturally as astronomers began to require finer measurements for their observations. The standardization of this unit took place over centuries of astronomical study.
Etymology: The term 'sidereal' is derived from the Latin word 'sidereus', which means 'of the stars'. It reflects the unit's connection to measuring time based on celestial observations rather than solar events.
Current Use
Today, the minute sidereal is primarily used in astronomy and astrophysics for calculations involving the positioning of stars and celestial objects. Observatories and planetariums utilize this unit to create star charts and to program telescopes for precise tracking of celestial phenomena. It is also used in navigational calculations for spacecraft and satellites, where time measurement relative to the stars is essential for accurate positioning and alignment.
💡 Fun Facts
- •A sidereal day is about 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds long, which is approximately 4 minutes shorter than a solar day.
- •The use of sidereal time helps astronomers correctly predict when a star will rise or set.
- •Because the Earth moves in its orbit around the Sun, the position of stars shifts slightly each day, making sidereal time essential for accurate celestial navigation.
📏 Real-World Examples
🔗 Related Units
Related Time Conversions
Explore more time conversions for your calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert to ?▼
To convert to , multiply your value by 1. For example, 10 equals 10 .
What is the formula for to conversion?▼
The formula is: = × 1. This conversion factor is based on international standards.
Is this to converter accurate?▼
Yes! MetricConv uses internationally standardized conversion factors from organizations like NIST and ISO. Our calculations support up to 15 decimal places of precision, making it suitable for scientific, engineering, and everyday calculations.
Can I convert back to ?▼
Absolutely! You can use the swap button (⇄) in the converter above to reverse the conversion direction, or visit our to converter.