transit instrument

American  

noun

1. Astronomy. meridian circle.

2. Surveying. transit.

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transit instrument British  

noun

1. an astronomical instrument, mounted on an E-W axis, in which the reticle of a telescope is always in the plane of the meridian. It is used to time the transit of a star, etc, across the meridian

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Etymology

Origin of transit instrument

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

The planetarium's dome will float over a reflecting pool, will house an "intermediate space transit instrument" which will project the heavens not only as they appear on earth but from the moon.

From Time Magazine Archive

Of or pertaining to the azimuth; in a horizontal circle. ÷ error of a transit instrument, its deviation in azimuth from the plane of the meridian.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

There are three instruments; an excellent transit instrument of six and a half inches' aperture, resting on its y's of solid granite.

From Maria Mitchell: Life, Letters, and Journals by Mitchell, Maria

Somehow the work of editing, explaining, and preparing for the press the new series of observations made by Yarnall and myself with our old transit instrument devolved on me.

From The Reminiscences of an Astronomer by Newcomb, Simon

On the 30th of November a series of signals was commenced to be interchanged at night between the position of the transit instrument on Parks Hill and the highlands of the Aroostook.

From A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents Volume 3, part 2: Martin Van Buren by Richardson, James D. (James Daniel)