What is the simplest explanation of Azimuth and zenith?

Question

What is the simplest explanation of Azimuth and zenith?

In: 6

Answer 1

ELI5

Stand outside in a big field. Face due north. You’re looking at Azimuth zero.

Now turn around and face the other direction. You’re looking at Azimuth 180.

**Azimuth is “which way you’re turned to look”**

Now .. Look straight at the horizon. Straight ahead. That’s zenith zero.

Now, don’t move side to side, but tilt your head up, like you’re looking at the top of a tall tall building on the horizon. That might be zenith 20.

Now, don’t move side to side, but tilt your head up MORE, like almost as far as your neck will go! That might be zenith 80.

Looking straight up is zenith 90.

**Zenith is how far up in the sky you’re looking**

I may have that zenith backwards, not sure. Zero may be straight up and 90 may be straight ahead. But you get the idea.

Answer 2

ELI5

Stand outside in a big field. Face due north. You’re looking at Azimuth zero.

Now turn around and face the other direction. You’re looking at Azimuth 180.

**Azimuth is “which way you’re turned to look”**

Now .. Look straight at the horizon. Straight ahead. That’s zenith zero.

Now, don’t move side to side, but tilt your head up, like you’re looking at the top of a tall tall building on the horizon. That might be zenith 20.

Now, don’t move side to side, but tilt your head up MORE, like almost as far as your neck will go! That might be zenith 80.

Looking straight up is zenith 90.

**Zenith is how far up in the sky you’re looking**

I may have that zenith backwards, not sure. Zero may be straight up and 90 may be straight ahead. But you get the idea.