great circle

英语

大圆示意图

名词

great circle (复数 great circles)

1. (几何学) 大圆
2. 球体表面两点间距最短的圆形的一段。
   • 1902, S. L. Penfield, "Use of the Stereographic Projection for Geographical Maps and Sailing Charts", in American Journal of Science

     Wherever a navigator may be, it certainly would be to his advantage to be able to find the great circle, or shortest course, and the distance, to his port of destination, [....]

   • 2003, Jeff Toghill, The Navigator's Handbook: Essential Methods and Equipment--and how to Use Them

     The shortest distance between two points on an ocean Mercator chart is not a straight line - it is a curve known as a 'great circle'.

   • 2005, Phil Medina, Homework Helpers: Earth Science，第 52 页:

     Because the Earth's surface is curved, the shortest distance is actually a curve over the surface called a great circle.

     （请为本引文添加中文翻译）

   近义词：great-circle arc

衍生词

• great circle route

参见

• small circle

延伸阅读

• great circle在英语维基百科上的资料。维基百科 ^en