A
theodolite is a precision instrument for measuring
angles in the horizontal and vertical planes. Theodolites are used mainly for
surveying applications, and have been adapted for specialized purposes in fields like
meteorology and
rocket launch technology. A modern theodolite consists of a movable telescope mounted within two perpendicular axes—the horizontal or
trunnion axis, and the vertical axis. When the telescope is pointed at a target object, the angle of each of these axes can be measured with great precision, typically to
seconds of arc.