Azimuthmeasured

Azimuthmeasured is a term used in geospatial science and surveying to denote the measured azimuth angle of a target relative to a reference direction, typically true north. The azimuth is the horizontal angle between the reference direction and the projection of the line of sight onto the horizontal plane. The azimuth measured by an instrument or calculation is the numerical value assigned to this angle at the time of observation.

Typical representations express azimuth in degrees from 0 to 360, measured clockwise from north, though radians are used in some contexts. The measured azimuth can be described as true azimuth (relative to geographic north) or magnetic azimuth (relative to magnetic north), depending on the reference frame and any applied corrections.

Measurement methods vary by instrument. A magnetic compass yields magnetic azimuth, which may require correction for magnetic declination to obtain true azimuth. A theodolite or total station directly measures horizontal angles with high precision. Global positioning systems can provide bearing information to a target, while inertial measurement units can track azimuth as part of an ongoing orientation in motion.

Applications span surveying, navigation, astronomy, mapping, and construction, as well as robotics and autonomous systems where reliable orientation is essential. Accurate azimuth measurements depend on proper calibration, correct reference frames, and considerations such as instrument tilt, alignment, and local magnetic variation.

Azimuthmeasured may also be recorded as a data field in geospatial datasets, representing the observed horizontal angle for each observation or waypoint. See also azimuth, bearing, magnetic declination, and horizontal angle.