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abstraction > mathematical concept > geometrical object > conic section > ellipse > circle > great circle |
great circle comparison table |
Subject | has definition |
---|---|
hour circle | A great circle passing through the celestial poles - i.e., perpendicular to the celestial equator. |
meridian | A great circle passing through the celestial poles and through the zenith of any location on Earth. For planetary observations a meridian is half the great circle passing through the planet's poles and through any location on the planet. |
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