4
$\begingroup$

The union of two meridians of longitude separated by $180^\circ$ is a great circle. Is there a particular name for these great circles that pass through both poles?

1 Answers 1

4

The term polar great circle turns up in both mathematical texts (Geometry of Four Dimensions; Geometry of Lie Groups) and cartographic sites (gcmap.com: Great Circle Mapper).

Other ideas: vertical circle (an astronomical term); circle of longitude.

  • 0
    I think "polar great circle" sometimes means something like a flight's path from Chicago to Delhi over the Arctic Ocean, although it's not exactly a "polar great circle" in the sense used in your answer.2017-01-10
  • 0
    @MichaelHardy I've added two more suggestions.2017-01-10