Convert Arcseconds to Quadrants
Convert Arcseconds (″) to Quadrants (quad) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
quad = ″ × 3.086419753e-6
About Arcseconds
An arcsecond (″) is 1/3,600 of a degree - π/648,000 rad ≈ 4.848 × 10⁻⁶ rad. It is the fundamental resolution unit of classical astronomy and geodetic surveying. The Hubble Space Telescope delivers ~0.05″ resolution; atmospheric seeing at excellent sites gives 0.4-0.6″. Stellar parallax of Proxima Centauri is 0.7687″, defining its distance of 1.3009 parsecs. The parsec is defined as the distance at which 1 AU subtends exactly 1 arcsecond - giving 1 pc = 3.0857 × 10¹⁶ m. 1″ = π/648,000 rad ≈ 4.848 µrad.
About Quadrants
A quadrant equals 1/4 of a full circle - π/2 rad = 90°, the right angle. Perpendicularity underpins Euclidean geometry, the Pythagorean theorem, and Cartesian coordinate systems. In AC electrical engineering, voltage and current in purely reactive circuits are exactly 90° out of phase, defining reactive power in VAr. The four quadrants of the unit circle determine the sign of sine, cosine, and tangent. GPS orbital elements encode latitude in semicircles bounded by ±1 quadrant = ±90°. 1 quadrant = 90° = 100 grad = π/2 rad = 1,600 NATO mils.
Quick Reference Table
| Arcseconds (″) | Quadrants (quad) |
|---|---|
| 1 ″ | 3.086 × 10-6 quad |
| 2 ″ | 6.173 × 10-6 quad |
| 5 ″ | 1.543 × 10-5 quad |
| 10 ″ | 3.086 × 10-5 quad |
| 25 ″ | 7.716 × 10-5 quad |
| 50 ″ | 0.000154321 quad |
| 100 ″ | 0.000308642 quad |