1. an instrument for measuring both the altitude and azimuth of celestial objects
Usage: astronomy; technical
2. a mounting system for telescopes that allows movement in both altitude and azimuth directions
Usage: astronomy; technical

Examples

• The astronomer used an altazimuth to track the position of Mars.
• Modern telescopes often use altazimuth mounts for easier computer control.
• The altazimuth showed that the star was at 45 degrees altitude.
• She adjusted the altazimuth to follow the satellite’s path across the sky.
• The observatory’s new altazimuth mount can track objects automatically.
• Students learned to operate the altazimuth during their astronomy lab.