zenith distance

American  

noun

Astronomy.

1. the angular distance from the zenith of a point on the celestial sphere to the sphere, measured along a great circle that is perpendicular to the horizon; the complement of the altitude.

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Etymology

Origin of zenith distance

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

zenith distance

Then the zenith distance is the distance from your zenith to the center of the sun.

From Lectures in Navigation by Draper, Ernest Gallaudet

The zenith distance of any point or celestial body is its angular distance from the zenith of the observer.

From Lectures in Navigation by Draper, Ernest Gallaudet

Two extremely sensitive levels are attached to the telescope, which latter carries a micrometer in its eye-piece, with a screw of long range for measuring differences of zenith distance.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 6 "Geodesy" to "Geometry" by Various

Accordingly, an observation of the temperature produced by solar radiation at a zenith distance whose secant is twice that of the secant of 17° 12', viz.,

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 458, October 11, 1884 by Various

It is a little more accurate to find the altitude by taking the complement of the observed zenith distance, if the vertical arc has sufficient range.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 360, November 25, 1882 by Various