Astronomy   View all facts   Glossary   Help
abstraction > mathematical concept > geometrical object > conic section > ellipse > circle > great circle > meridian
Next great circlehour circle    Upgreat circle

meridian
subjectfact 
meridianhas definition The great circle on the celestial sphere which passes through the celestial poles and the zenith of the observer.has source: Hopkins, J. 1976 Glossary of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Chicago Press, 2001-09-27 09:32:38.0
has definition Theoretical north-south line on the Earth's surface, or an extension of that line onto the night sky, connecting the observer's zenith with the celestial pole and the horizon. The meridian is used to state directional bearings. Devices and structures - such as meridian arcs - marking the meridian were once common in observatories.has source: Abbot, D. 1984 Astronomers, Peter Bedrick Books, New York, 2001-09-27 09:32:38.0
has definition The great circle passing through the zenith of the observer and the north and south points on his horizon.has source: Hopkins, J. 1976 Glossary of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Chicago Press, 2001-09-27 09:32:38.0
has definition 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.has source: Seidelman, P. 1992 Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac, University Science Books, Mill Valley, CA, 2001-09-27 09:32:38.0
is a kind of great circle2001-09-27 09:32:38.0
conic sectionhas dimensions 22001-09-27 09:32:37.0