Definition:Zenith

Definition

Let an observer $O$ on the surface of Earth be assumed to be the center of the celestial sphere $C$.

The zenith $Z$ is the point on $C$ which is vertically overhead.

This can be determined by use of a plumb line.

In the above diagram, the zenith is indicated by $Z$.

Also see

• Definition:Nadir

Linguistic Note

The word zenith derives from Medieval Latin cenit, a transliteration of the Arabic سَمْت‎ (samt), meaning direction or path) which is itself anabbreviation of سَمْت اَلرَّأْس‎ (samt ar-raʾs), meaning direction of the head).

The US English pronunciation of zenith is zee-nith, while British and other English pronunciation is zen-nith.

Sources

• 1976: W.M. Smart: Textbook on Spherical Astronomy (6th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {II}$. The Celestial Sphere: $18$. Altitude and azimuth.
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): celestial sphere
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): zenith
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): celestial sphere
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): zenith