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Sexagesimal and radian to degree conversion

Sexagesimal and radian to degree conversion

A. If you want to convert sexagesimal numbers (RA=hh:mm:ss.s Dec=±dd:mm:ss) to degrees then use these relations:

RA>deg: 15 x (hh + mm/60 + ss.s/3600)
Dec>deg: ±dd ± (mm/60 + ss/3600)

These relations are pretty easy to remember since
> 1 hour the sky rotates 15 degrees (360degrees in 24 hours)
> 1 minute = 60 seconds
> 1 hour = 60 minutes = 60 seconds
> Caution with Dec: when Dec is positive you add the rest while when it is negative you subtract.

B. For radians to degrees conversion use the relation:

radians x 180o / π

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