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arcsecond

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  1. [astronomy] A unit of angular measurement that is 1/3600 of a degree. There are 60 arcminutes in a degree and 60 arcseconds in an arcminute. Arcseconds of latitude remain nearly constant, while arcseconds of longitude decrease mathematically as one moves toward the earth's poles.
  2. [mathematics] The distance traversed on the earth's surface when traveling 1/3600th of a degree of latitude or longitude.