A square degree is a non-SI unit measure of solid angle. It is denoted in various ways, including deg2, sq.deg. and (°)². Just as degrees are used to measure parts of a circle, square degrees are used to measure parts of a sphere. Analogous to one degree being equal to π /180 radians, a square degree is equal to (π /180)2 or about 1/3283 steradian. The number of square degrees in a whole sphere is
or approximately 41 253 deg2. This is the total area of the 88 constellations in the list of constellations by area.
For example, observed from the surface of the Earth, the Moon has a diameter of approximately 0.5°, so it covers a solid angle of approximately 0.196 deg2, which is 4.8 × 10−6 of the total sky sphere.
Famous quotes containing the words square and/or degree:
“In old times people used to try and square the circle; now they try and devise schemes for satisfying the Irish nation.”
—Samuel Butler (1835–1902)
“It would be difficult to exaggerate the degree to which we are influenced by those we influence.”
—Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)