astronomical triangle

American  

noun

1. the spherical triangle formed by the great circles connecting a celestial object, the zenith, and the celestial pole.

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Etymology

Origin of astronomical triangle

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

It is designed for taking observations of heavenly bodies and recording mechanically the parts of the astronomical triangle used in navigation and like work.

From Project Gutenberg

Kennedy was talking rapidly of data which he had derived from the study of the photograph as from plumb line, level, compass, and tape, astronomical triangle, vertices, zenith, pole, and sun, declination, azimuth, solar time, parallactic angles, refraction, and a dozen other bewildering terms.

From Project Gutenberg