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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?

Michael Hardy
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1 Answers1

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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.

Théophile
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  • 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. – Michael Hardy Jan 10 '17 at 02:25
  • @MichaelHardy I've added two more suggestions. – Théophile Jan 10 '17 at 15:34