zenith telescope

British  

noun

1. an instrument used to determine the latitude of stars, similar to the meridian circle but fitted with an extremely sensitive level and a declination micrometer

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Example Sentences

The biggest so far was the 6-meter Large Zenith Telescope in British Columbia in Canada.

From Science Magazine

The method of determining latitude by transits in the prime vertical has the disadvantage of being a somewhat slow process, and of requiring a very precise knowledge of the time, a disadvantage from which the zenith telescope is free.

From Project Gutenberg

Now the zenith telescope does away with the divided circle, and substitutes the measurement micrometrically of the quantity Z′ − Z. In fig.

From Project Gutenberg

The weak point of the zenith telescope lies in the circumstance that its requirements prevent the selection of stars whose positions are well fixed; very frequently it is necessary to have the declinations of the stars selected for this instrument specially observed at fixed observatories.

From Project Gutenberg

The zenith telescope is made in various sizes from 30 to 54 in. in focal length; a 30-in. telescope is sufficient for the highest purposes and is very portable.

From Project Gutenberg