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  5. / Astronomy: General
  6. / vertical circle

vertical circle

vertical circle, in astronomy, the great circle on the celestial sphere that passes from the observer's zenith through a given celestial body. In the altazimuth coordinate system the altitude of a body is measured along its vertical circle.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia,6th ed. Copyright 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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