An angular measurement indicating which side of the nucleus something is located. A "PA" of 0 degrees indicates an object is located north of the nucleus, while 90 degrees indicates east, 180 degrees is south, and 270 degrees is west. It is most commonly used to indicate the direction the tail is pointing. On occasion, when a comet's nucleus has broke up, the position angle is used to indicate which direction the nuclear fragments are located from the primary nucleus.