Great circle

great circle route - A course that is the shortest distance between two points, following a great circle.

Great circle
A circle drawn around the Earth such that the center of the circle is at the center of the Earth. Following such a circle plots the shortest distance between any two points on the surface of the Earth.

great circle - The circumference of the earth; the circle formed by the intersection of a sphere and a plane; such as the lines of latitude or longitude. It is the shortest route on the globe, and not necessarily a straight line on a map.

Great Circle:
The largest circle which can be inscribed on a sphere by a plane that cuts through the center of the sphere. On the earth, the equator is a great circle, as are all the meridians of longitude which pass through both poles.

great circle route
The shortest route between two distant points on the globe. This rhumb line is shown as a straight line on a globe or on a gnomic projection chart, but on a Mercator projection chart it is a curve.

Great Circle - Shortest distance between two points because of the curvature of the Earth Green, left on return, square, can, odd #, GongGreen/Red un-numbered buoys - Channel split - use top color to determine main channel ...

great circle: a course plotted on the surface of the globe that is the shortest distance between two points. gooseneck: the fitting that connects the boom to the mast.

Great Circle - The intersection of the surface of a sphere and a plane through its center.
Great Circle Chart - A chart on which a great circle appears approximately as a straight line.

grappling irons Odd-shaped irons used to hold vessels fast [Top of Page] [Bottom of Page] great-circle course A great circle is formed on the surface of the globe by a plane which passes through the center of the earth.

When drawn on a Mercator chart, the rhumb line is a straight line. However the Mercator chart is a distortion of a round globe on a flat surface, so the rhumb line will be a longer course than a great circle route.

See also: Point, Boat, Boom, Course, Rail