  Using a novel two-dimensional coordinate system, we have derived a
particularly simple way to express the redshift distortions in galaxy redshift
surveys with arbitrary geometry in closed form. This method provides an almost
ideal way to measure the value of $\beta=\Omega_0^{0.6}/b$ in wide area
surveys, since all pairs in the survey can be used for the analysis. In the
limit of small angles, this result straightforwardly reduces to the
plane-parallel approximation. This expansion can also be used together with
more sophisticated methods such as for the calculation of Karhunen-Loeve
eigenvectors in redshift space for an arbitrary survey geometry. Therefore,
these results should provide for more precise methods in which to measure the
large scale power spectrum and the value of $\beta$ simultaneously.
