Convert Arcminutes to Semicircles
Convert Arcminutes (′) to Semicircles (sc) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
sc = ′ × 9.259259259e-5
About Arcminutes
An arcminute (′) is 1/60 of a degree - π/10,800 rad ≈ 2.909 × 10⁻⁴ rad. One arcminute of latitude equals exactly one nautical mile (1,852 m), which is the origin of the nautical mile unit. The Moon and Sun both subtend ~30 arcminutes in apparent diameter - the coincidence exploited in total solar eclipses. Human 20/20 visual acuity resolves letters 5 arcminutes tall at 6 m. Binocular and telescope apparent fields of view are quoted in arcminutes. 1′ = π/10,800 rad ≈ 0.01667° ≈ 290.9 µrad.
About Semicircles
A semicircle equals 1/2 of a full circle - exactly π rad = 180°. GPS and GLONASS transmit satellite orbital elements with latitude and longitude in semicircles, maximising angular resolution within 32-bit signed integers: ±2³¹ units span ±π rad with ~1.46 × 10⁻⁹ rad resolution per unit. Euler's identity e^(iπ) + 1 = 0 encodes exactly 1 semicircle of rotation in the complex plane, mapping 1 to -1 - often called the most beautiful equation in mathematics. 1 semicircle = π rad = 180° = 200 grad = 3,200 NATO mils.
Quick Reference Table
| Arcminutes (′) | Semicircles (sc) |
|---|---|
| 1 ′ | 9.259 × 10-5 sc |
| 2 ′ | 0.000185185 sc |
| 5 ′ | 0.000462963 sc |
| 10 ′ | 0.000925926 sc |
| 25 ′ | 0.00231481 sc |
| 50 ′ | 0.00462963 sc |
| 100 ′ | 0.00925926 sc |