Active versus Passive Rotations

Abstract

Active and passive rotations are used in many applied scientific fields, such as engineering, geodesy, and geophysics, just to name a few. However, a source of confusion could arise when both types of rotations are performed sequentially. The author is not aware of any publication where, in a tutorial manner, the relationship between active and passive rotations is coherently described, untangling in the process some of the most typical misconceptions. This technical note is a modest attempt to remedy this void by clarifying, as much as possible, some essential points that may help the understanding of these two varieties of commonly used rotations and how to properly apply them in some practical situations.