planisphere

American  

[plan-uh-sfeer, pley-nuh-] / ˈplæn əˌsfɪər, ˈpleɪ nə- /

noun

1. a map of half or more of the celestial sphere with a device for indicating the part of a given location visible at a given time.

2. a projection or representation of the whole or a part of a sphere on a plane.

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planisphere British  

/ ˌplænɪˈsfɛrɪk, ˈplænɪˌsfɪə /

noun

1. a projection or representation of all or part of a sphere on a plane surface, such as a polar projection of the celestial sphere onto a chart

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Other Word Forms

• planispheral adjective
• planispheric adjective
• planispherical adjective

Etymology

Origin of planisphere

1350–1400; plani- + sphere; replacing Middle English planisperie < Medieval Latin plānisphaerium

Example Sentences

The Getty exhibits a planisphere clock, demonstrating mean time and solar time in cities around the globe, as well as the timing of the tides in northern ports.

From The Guardian • Jul. 29, 2011

In summer I sometimes come outside at night with my torch and my planisphere, which is two circles of plastic with a pin through the middle.

From "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon

I consulted the planisphere, and in 32� 40' N. lat. and 157� 50' W. long.,

From Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Verne, Jules

His is another planisphere, of the same school of map-makers.

From The First Discovery of Australia and New Guinea Being The Narrative of Portuguese and Spanish Discoveries in the Australasian Regions, between the Years 1492-1606, with Descriptions of their Old Charts. by Collingridge, George

The point shown each day on the planisphere, and, marked by the lieutenant, showed me the exact direction of the Nautilus.

From Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Verne, Jules