vertical circle — A great circle of the celestial sphere passing through the celestial poles as well as the observer’s zenith and nadir. Vertical circles are perpendicular to the horizon. The prime vertical circle, or the prime vertical, passes through the east… … Aviation dictionary
prime vertical circle — The prime vertical circle cuts the observer’s vertical circle at 90° and forms the east and west point of the horizon … Aviation dictionary
Meridian circle — Groombridge transit circle of 1806 The meridian circle, transit circle, or transit telescope is an instrument for observing the time of stars passing the meridian, at the same time measuring its angular distance from the zenith. The idea of… … Wikipedia
telescope — /tel euh skohp /, n., adj., v., telescoped, telescoping. n. 1. an optical instrument for making distant objects appear larger and therefore nearer. One of the two principal forms (refracting telescope) consists essentially of an objective lens… … Universalium
Theodolite — A theodolite (IPA en|θiːˈɒdəlаɪt) is an instrument for measuring both horizontal and vertical angles, as used in triangulation networks. It is a key tool in surveying and engineering work, particularly on inaccessible grounds, but theodolites… … Wikipedia
Aerobatic maneuver — The UK Utterly Butterly display team perform an aerobatic maneuver with their Boeing Stearmans, at an air display in England. Aerobatic maneuvers are flight paths putting aircraft in unusual attitudes, in air shows, dog fights or competition… … Wikipedia
azimuth — i. A direction expressed as a horizontal angle, usually in degrees, measured clockwise from a reference datum or direction, usually north. The azimuth will be a true zenith, grid azimuth, magnetic azimuth, or relative azimuth, depending upon… … Aviation dictionary
zenith distance — noun or zenith angle : the angular distance of a celestial object from the zenith measured by the arc of a vertical circle intercepted between the object and the zenith : the complement of the altitude * * * Astron. the angular distance from the… … Useful english dictionary
Arabic influence on the Spanish language — has been significant, due to the Islamic presence in the Iberian peninsula between 711 and 1492 A.D. (see Al Andalus). Modern day Spanish language (also called castellano in Spanish) first appeared in the small Christian Kingdom of Castile in… … Wikipedia
azimuth — noun Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin azimut, from Arabic al sumūt the azimuth, plural of al samt the way Date: 14th century 1. an arc of the horizon measured between a fixed point (as true north) and the vertical circle passing… … New Collegiate Dictionary