Colatitude

As Kobreite or Co- width in astronomy, geodesy and spherical trigonometry the complementary angle of the geographic or astronomic latitude is called:

The introduction of the term corresponding to the angular distance of a place from the North Pole, simplified the spelling of many formulas and, in some cases, sign prevent errors.

The astronomical triangle ( pole - zenith -pointed star, see picture) contains as one of its 3 sides always the angle 90 ° -B, ie the Kobreite. Since the other two sides are complementary angles, analogous terms are also often used for it:

• Zenith Star: 90 ° - Elevation angle = zenith distance
• Pole Star: 90 ° - declination = polar distance.

• Astrometry
• Geodesy
• Trigonometry