Final answer:
An angle can be named by its measurement in degrees, minutes, and seconds. One degree equals 60 minutes, and one minute equals 60 seconds. Angles are crucial in astronomy and geometry, such as determining the shape of triangles and measuring distances between celestial objects.
Step-by-step explanation:
An angle has different names based on its measurement in degrees, minutes, and seconds. One degree is equal to 60 minutes of arc, and one minute of arc equals 60 seconds of arc. For example, an angle might be described as 35° 43' 9", which means an angle of 35 degrees, 43 minutes, and 9 seconds. It is important to understand that these are not units of time but rather units of angular measurement.
Understanding angles is crucial in various fields of study, such as astronomy where angles are used to measure the apparent distance between celestial objects. A full circle measures 360°, so when astronomers say two stars are 18° apart, they mean the stars span about 1/10 of the celestial dome. Another interesting fact is that the full Moon appears to be about half a degree, or 0.5°, in size when observed from Earth.
In addition to these names, angles are a fundamental aspect of geometry, influencing the properties and relations of shapes. For instance, understanding that a triangle has three sides and the sum of its internal angles equals 180° is essential in the field of mathematics.