transit circle

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. meridian circle.

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Etymology

Origin of transit circle

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

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

From The Reminiscences of an Astronomer by Newcomb, Simon

At the end of 1850 the great transit circle of 8 in. aperture and 11 ft.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

In the latter part of 1869 I had carried forward the work with the transit circle as far as it could be profitably pursued under existing conditions.

From The Reminiscences of an Astronomer by Newcomb, Simon

In 1863 Gilliss obtained authority to have the most pressing wants supplied by the construction of a great transit circle by Pistor and Martins in Berlin.

From The Reminiscences of an Astronomer by Newcomb, Simon

If he could not get such an instrument, he measured the positions of the stars with a transit circle.

From The Future of Astronomy by Pickering, Edward Charles