What is the difference between Altitude and Azimuth?
Quick Answer: Altitude measures how high an object is above the horizon, expressed in degrees. Azimuth measures the direction along the horizon, also in degrees, starting from North and moving clockwise. Together, they pinpoint an object's position in the sky.
Altitude is the angle between the object and the observer’s horizon. If the object is right on the horizon, its altitude is 0°. If it's directly overhead, the altitude is 90°.
Azimuth is the compass direction from the observer to the object. It starts at 0° for North, moves to 90° for East, 180° for South, and 270° for West.
Using both altitude and azimuth lets you find exactly where to look in the sky to spot a star, planet, or satellite.