Non-circular Objects
Many deep sky objects such as galaxies and nebulas are non-circular and are thus typically given two measures of diameter: Major Diameter and Minor Diameter. For example, the Small Magellanic Cloud has a visual apparent diameter of 5° 20′ × 3° 5′.
Read more about this topic: Angular Diameter
Famous quotes containing the word objects:
“Little minds mistake little objects for great ones, and lavish away upon the former that time and attention which only the latter deserve. To such mistakes we owe the numerous and frivolous tribe of insect-mongers, shell-mongers, and pursuers and driers of butterflies, etc. The strong mind distinguishes, not only between the useful and the useless, but likewise between the useful and the curious.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)