What unit of measurement is primarily used in geodesy for angles?

In geodesy, the primary unit of measurement for angles is degrees. This preference is rooted in the historical and practical applications of measuring angles in surveying and mapping. Degrees are widely used in many branches of geospatial sciences, making them familiar and easily interpretable for professionals in the field.

While radians are also used, particularly in more mathematical contexts such as calculus or certain applications in astronomy, degrees are more common in surveying where angles need to be understood by practitioners who may not have a strong mathematical background. Degrees offer a straightforward method for division of angles into simpler, more manageable parts (e.g., minutes and seconds).

Although gradians and microdegrees do serve specific purposes, they are not commonly used as the primary unit in geodesy. Gradians, for instance, divide a right angle into 100 parts, which can be useful in specific contexts but lacks the widespread use seen with degrees. Microdegrees provide a higher level of precision but are less practical for most standard geodetic applications. Thus, degrees remain the predominant unit for measuring angles in the field of geodesy.