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From: shaver@isucs1.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.puzzle
Subject: Re: Re: Polar Bear Problem Sequel
Message-ID: <495@isucs1.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 11-Nov-85 04:02:24 EST
Article-I.D.: isucs1.495
Posted: Mon Nov 11 04:02:24 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 18-Nov-85 06:36:20 EST
Sender: notes@isucs1.UUCP
Organization: Iowa State University
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Nf-ID: #R:mcgill-v:-32700:isucs1:13400003:000:1041
Nf-From: isucs1!shaver    Nov 10 23:55:00 1985


> Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a great circle a circle with its
> center at the center of the earth [...]? [...] Everyone here seems to be
> using it to mean a circle of constant latitude.

	{That's correct, but here is an 'offical' definition}

	As defined by George Abell in the fourth edition of his "Exploration
of the Universe":

Great Circle:  "A circle on the surface of a sphere that is the curve of
intersection of the sphere with a plane passing through its center"

Further defined on page 103:

"A great circle is any circle on the surface of a sphere whose center is
at the center of the sphere.  The earth's equator is a great circle on the
earth's surface halfway between the North and South poles.  We can also
imagine a series of great circles that pass through the North and South Poles.
These circles are called meridians; they intersect the equator at right
angles."

/\  Dave Shaver  -=*=-  Located at Iowa State University -- Ames, IA
\/  UUCP: {okstate||umn-cs||csu-cs}!isucs1!shaver   CSNET: shaver@iowa-state