calculate compass angle from coordinates

[cutterpg]

I'm trying to find the simplest way to convert a trig angle measurement (between 180 and -180 degrees (or pi and -pi radians)) originating from the positive side of the x axis) to a standard compass bearing (between 0 and 360 degrees originating clockwise from the positive y axis).

I can't come up with a formula or algorithm that works with any angle value.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[SteveInAlabama]

For limited angle degree inputs of -90 to +360, the following works:

bearing = if(angle<=90,90-Angle,450-Angle)

If you need it for ANY angle input, positive or negative without bound, you'll have to get fancier by using the Modulus function to get rid of multiples of 360, and work with the degrees left over.

HTH

 

[stevebausch]

Any decent computer-aided astrologer can talk on this stuff until your eyes glaze over.

 

[PaddyD]

A great source for this sort of thing is mathtools.net. Quick search there (for 'degrees') sent me to :

http://www.em-ing.de/home_e.htm

where there is a free add in for 'advanced trigonometric functions' add in (on the freeware link). Might help out...

Paddy

 

[jeff_manning]

Do it this way:
if X is positive and Y is positive (XY=++), use 90 - theta
if XY = -+, use 270 - theta
if XY = +-, use 90 - theta
if XY = --, use 270 - theta

Where theta = atan(Y/X) (in degrees) in the cartesian plane.

 

[mikerickson]

compassDegrees = MOD(90-stdDegrees, 360)