Definition:Culmination

Definition

Consider the celestial sphere $C$ whose observer is $O$.

Let $B$ be a celestial body on $C$.

Let $P_\delta$ be the parallel of declination along which $B$ travels.

The two points of culmination of $B$ are the points at which it crosses the principal vertical circle.

Also known as

The culmination of a celestial body is also known as its meridian transit, or just transit.

However, the term transit has another meaning in the astronomical context, and so culmination is preferred on $\mathsf{Pr} \infty \mathsf{fWiki}$.

Sources

• 1976: W.M. Smart: Textbook on Spherical Astronomy (6th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {II}$. The Celestial Sphere: $19$. Declination and hour angle.