altazimuth coordinate system
(redirected from Horizon coordinate system)Also found in: Encyclopedia.
Related to Horizon coordinate system: celestial horizon, Zenith distance
altazimuth coordinate system
n.
A celestial coordinate system in which an object's position in the sky is described in terms of its altitude and azimuth. Because the altazimuth coordinate system is based on an observer's position rather than on features fixed on the celestial sphere, it is often the most practical system for use in navigation and surveying.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.