Convert Signs to Arcseconds

Convert Signs (sign) to Arcseconds (″) instantly and accurately.

Conversion Formula

″ = sign × 108000

About Signs

An astrological sign equals 1/12 of a full circle - π/6 rad = exactly 30°. The zodiac divides the ecliptic into twelve 30° signs (Aries through Pisces), originating in Babylonian astronomy ~5th century BCE. Historical ecliptic longitude was expressed as sign + degrees: "Scorpio 12°" = 222°. The 30° spacing also appears in music theory: the circle of fifths has twelve equally spaced positions 30° apart, and the octave divides into 12 equal semitones. 1 sign = 30° = 1,800′ = π/6 rad = 533.3 NATO mils.

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.

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