Our angle of depression calculator helps you determine the angle between the line of sight from an observer looking downward and the horizontal.
Angle of Depression Calculator
How the Calculator Works
This Angle of Depression Calculator can help you determine the angle of depression based on the height from an observer’s viewpoint to the base level and the distance from the observer’s position at the base to the object’s position at its base.
The angle of depression is the angle between the horizontal line from the observer’s eye (parallel to the Earth’s surface) and the line of sight from the observer to the object. It is congruent to the angle of elevation from the object’s base to the observer’s eye, assuming a clear line of sight.
How to Use the Calculator
- Enter the Height value in the first field (make sure the unit is consistent with the distance).
- Enter the Distance value in the second field.
- Click on Calculate to see the angle of depression.
How the Results are Calculated
The angle of depression is calculated using trigonometric functions. In this case, we use the following formula:
Angle of Depression = arctan(Height / Distance)This formula is derived from the tangent trigonometric functionality, which represents the ratio of the opposite side (height) over the adjacent side (distance) in a right-angled triangle.
Limitations
The accuracy of the result is contingent on precise measurements of height and distance. The calculator assumes the Earth is flat and the observer’s line of sight is not obstructed. It does not account for the Earth’s curvature, atmospheric refraction, or other possible interferences.