Milliarcsecond to Arcsecond Converter

A milliarcsecond (mas) is a unit of angular measurement equal to 1/1000 of an arcsecond or 1/3,600,000 of a degree. It represents the finest level of angular precision commonly used in astronomy.

Milliarcseconds became necessary with the advent of very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) and space-based telescopes in the late 20th century. This precision level was unattainable until advanced radio astronomy techniques and space missions like Hipparcos and Gaia made such measurements possible.

Milliarcseconds are used in cutting-edge astronomical research for measuring stellar parallax, proper motion of stars, positions of quasars, and in very long baseline interferometry. They're essential for the most precise astrometric measurements and are used by space missions like Gaia for creating detailed star catalogs.

An arcsecond (″) is a unit of angular measurement equal to 1/60 of an arcminute or 1/3600 of a degree. It represents extremely fine angular precision, essential for high-precision measurements.

The arcsecond follows from the continued subdivision of the Babylonian system, where arcminutes were further divided into 60 arcseconds. The term comes from 'pars minuta secunda' meaning 'second small part'. This level of precision became crucial with the development of telescopic astronomy in the 17th century.

Arcseconds are critical in professional astronomy for measuring stellar positions, parallax, and proper motion. They're used in satellite navigation systems, precision surveying, telescope specifications, and astrometry. The Hubble Space Telescope, for example, has angular resolution measured in arcseconds.