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Magnitude vs Altitude - What's the difference?

magnitude | altitude |

In astronomy terms the difference between magnitude and altitude

is that magnitude is the apparent brightness of a star (on a negative, logarithmic scale); apparent magnitude while altitude is the angular distance of a heavenly body above our Earth's horizon.

As nouns the difference between magnitude and altitude

is that magnitude is the absolute or relative size, extent or importance of something while altitude is the absolute height of a location, usually measured from sea level.

magnitude

English

Noun

  • (uncountable, countable) The absolute or relative size, extent or importance of something.
  • (countable) An order of magnitude.
  • (mathematics) A number, assigned to something, such that it may be compared to others numerically
  • (mathematics) Of a vector, the norm, most commonly, the two-norm.
  • (astronomy) The apparent brightness of a star (on a negative, logarithmic scale); apparent magnitude
  • (seismology) A measure of the energy released by an earthquake (e.g. on the Richter scale).
  • Derived terms

    * order of magnitude * absolute magnitude * apparent magnitude

    altitude

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The absolute height of a location, usually measured from sea level.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-07, author=David Simpson, volume=188, issue=26, page=36, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Fantasy of navigation , passage=Like most human activities, ballooning has sponsored heroes and hucksters and a good deal in between. For every dedicated scientist patiently recording atmospheric pressure and wind speed while shivering at high altitudes , there is a carnival barker with a bevy of pretty girls willing to dangle from a basket or parachute down to earth.}}
  • A vertical distance.
  • (geometry) The distance measured perpendicularly from a figure's vertex to the opposite side of the vertex.
  • (astronomy) The angular distance of a heavenly body above our Earth's horizon.
  • Height of rank or excellence; superiority.
    (Jonathan Swift)
  • (dated, in the plural) Elevation of spirits; heroics; haughty airs.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
    The man of law began to get into his altitudes .
    (Richardson)
  • Highest point or degree.
  • * Shakespeare
    He is [proud] even to the altitude of his virtue.
  • Anagrams

    * latitude ----