transit circle

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. meridian circle.

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Etymology

Origin of transit circle

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

There is an apparatus used in astronomical observatories called a chronograph, which registers, within a small fraction of a second, the moment when a star seems to pass across a wire in the "transit circle," the telescope by which the positions of stars are determined and the exact time kept.

From Project Gutenberg

At her recital of unaccompanied works on Tuesday evening at Union Theological Seminary, part of her Transit Circle chamber music series, Ms. Cuckson moved a few inches in that direction.

From New York Times

A heliometer is the most accurate astronomical instrument for relative measurements of position, as a transit circle is the most accurate for absolute determinations.

From Project Gutenberg

By a report of the Astronomer-royal to the Board of Visitors, who have lately made their annual inspection of the Greenwich Observatory, we are informed, of a singular fact, that observations of the pole-star shew that its position varies some three or four seconds on repeating the observations at intervals of a few months, and this notwithstanding the extreme accuracy of the transit circle.

From Project Gutenberg

J. M., superintendent of Naval Observatory, 99;   obtains new transit circle, 105.

From Project Gutenberg