Difference between revisions of "Altitude"
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Altitude
(symbol h)
1. In astronomy, angular displacement above the
horizon;
the arc of a vertical circle between the horizon and a point on
the
celestial sphere, measured upward from the
horizon.
Angular displacement below the horizon is called negative altitude
or dip. See
horizon system.
2. Height, especially radial distance as measured above a
given datum, as average sea level. See
absolute altitude,
true altitude.
In space navigation altitude designates distance from the
mean surface of the reference body as contrasted to distance,
which designates distance from the center of the reference body.
References
This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use
