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vertical circle

noun

, Astronomy.
  1. a great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the zenith.


vertical circle

noun

  1. astronomy a great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the zenith and perpendicular to the horizon
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


vertical circle

  1. A great circle on the celestial sphere that passes through the zenith and the nadir and thus is perpendicular to the horizon.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of vertical circle1

First recorded in 1550–60
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Example Sentences

The Azimuth of a star is the angle between the meridian and the vertical circle passing through the star.

In this event the cloud will exhibit no iridescence, but, instead of it, a vertical circle through the sun will present itself.

If the wire, with its lines of force, be bent into the form of a vertical circle 1⅛ in.

A Vertical Circle is any great circle that passes through the zenith.

The altitude of a celestial object is its distance above the horizon measured on the arc of a vertical circle.

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