5 articles for "Great"

A circle whose plane passes through the center of a sphere; thus a great circle is the largest circle that can be constructed on the surface of that sphere. It is to be distinguished from a small circle, whose plane does not pass through the center of a sphere. On a sphere, meridians of longitude are great circles.

The following are examples of great circles on the celestial sphere:
    • Meridian
    • Prime Vertical
    • Celestial Equator.

See also:
♦ Small Circle ♦ Meridian ♦ Celestial Sphere ♦ Celestial Equator ♦ Ellipse ♦ Prime Vertical ♦ Ecliptic

A circle of the Celestial Sphere which has as itscenter the center of the Celestial Sphere. The Celestial Equator is an example of a Great Circle. See also: "Small Circle".

See also:
♦ Small Circle ♦ Meridian ♦ Celestial Sphere ♦ Celestial Equator ♦ Ellipse ♦ Prime Vertical ♦ Ecliptic

Angular distance between two bodies, measured along a great circle connecting their centers.

See also:
♦ Angular Distance

Located at Giza, Egypt. Geographical coordinates are: E031°13', N30°01'. The ascending passage on the North side pointed to the star Thuban (alpha Draconis) at the time of the pyramid's construction.

See also:
♦ Angular Distance

Time required to complete one full cycle of Precessional Motion of the pole of the Earth's spin-axis about the pole of the Ecliptic: 25,800 years.

See also:
♦ Earth, Motions of ♦ Precession ♦ Ecliptic