What does azimuth measure?

Azimuth measures the angular distance from north or south on the horizon, specifically indicating the direction of an object from a specific point of reference, typically true north. In surveying and navigation, azimuth is expressed in degrees, with 0° representing true north, 90° east, 180° south, and 270° west. This measurement allows surveyors and navigators to accurately describe the position of an object in relation to a fixed point on the Earth's surface.

Options regarding altitude of a celestial object and distance to a star pertain to different measurements in celestial navigation and astronomy. Altitude measures how high an object is above the horizon, while distance to a star involves parallax and other astronomical calculations. The rotation of the Earth relates to timekeeping and geographical concepts but does not describe the angular position of an object in relation to the cardinal directions. Thus, the definition of azimuth aligns solely with the angular distance measurement.