vertical circle

noun

Astronomy.

1. a great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the zenith.

vertical circle

noun

1. astronomy a great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the zenith and perpendicular to the horizon

vertical circle

1. A great circle on the celestial sphere that passes through the zenith and the nadir and thus is perpendicular to the horizon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vertical circle¹

First recorded in 1550–60

Example Sentences

Flames from a driftwood fire lit the faces of two dark, wooden spirit boards making tight vertical circles in the hands of elders, their cheekbones smudged with red circles.

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The elevation of a point, or star, or other celestial object, above the horizon, measured by the arc of a vertical circle intercepted between such point and the horizon.

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Theodolite, about 1780, brass; horizontal circle 5 in., vertical circle 5 in., telescope 7-1/2 in., compass 3 in.; spirit level set into compass card; spirit level attached to telescope; fixed vertical circle; unsigned.

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A vertical circle passing through the sun may also be seen.

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In these instruments the crystal is set up and adjusted once for all, with the axis of a prominent zone parallel to the axis of either the horizontal or the vertical circle.

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