great circle

Noun
  1. A circular line on the surface of a sphere formed by intersecting it with a plane passing through the center (synset 108597015)
    is a type of: line - a spatial location defined by a real or imaginary unidimensional extent
    subtypes:
    • celestial equator, equinoctial, equinoctial circle, equinoctial line - the great circle on the celestial sphere midway between the celestial poles
    • ecliptic - the great circle representing the apparent annual path of the sun; the plane of the Earth's orbit around the sun; makes an angle of about 23 degrees with the equator
    • equator - an imaginary line around the Earth forming the great circle that is equidistant from the north and south poles
    • celestial horizon, horizon - the great circle on the celestial sphere whose plane passes through the sensible horizon and the center of the Earth
    • hour circle - a great circle on the celestial sphere that passes through both celestial poles
    • line of longitude, meridian - an imaginary great circle on the surface of the earth passing through the north and south poles at right angles to the equator
    • vertical circle - a great circle on the celestial sphere passing through the zenith and perpendicular to the horizon

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