[Math] Angle between two coordinates(latitude, longitude) from a position on earth

coordinate systemslinear algebra

Suppose I am standing at latitude, longitude $(-33, 151)$ and I want to calculate the angle between two points $(-32, 150)$ and $(-34, 152)$ from my point of view. Can someone please tell me how can I do that ?

Best Answer

If a spherical earth is good enough, you can convert the three points to Cartesian coordinates: $x=R \cos \phi \cos \lambda, y=R \cos \phi \sin \lambda, z=R \sin \phi$. Then subtract to get the two vectors from where you are to the other two points and use the dot product formula. This will give the angle in space between the vectors.