great circle

英語

大圓示意圖

名詞

great circle (複數 great circles)

1. (幾何學) 大圓
2. 球體表面兩點間距最短的圓形的一段。
   • 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 頁:

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

     （請為本引文添加中文翻譯）

   近義詞：great-circle arc

衍生詞

• great circle route

參見

• small circle

延伸閱讀

• great circle在英語維基百科上的資料。維基百科 ^en