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A great circle is a circle on a sphere that divides the sphere into two equal halves. It is the longest distance that can be traveled on the surface of a sphere. The equator can be described as a great circle, as can each line of longitude. See the related link for more information.

A great circle route is the shortest distance between any two points on the earth, and is always a curve on a plane containing the two points and the center of the earth. It is the largest possible circle that can be made on the earth's surface that contains the two points.

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Why are lines of longitude called great circles?

Because they make big circles around the Earth.


Are there any great circles on the Earth that are entirely in water?

Yes, there are great circles on Earth that are entirely in water, such as the Equator or the Prime Meridian. These circles divide the Earth into two equal halves and are significant in navigation and geographical reference.


What is great circles?

the shortest way to get from one location on earth to another


Why is a great circle used for navigation?

Because any 'Great Circle' is the shortest distance across a sphere. Where the Earth is concerned , all the meridians and the Equator are Great Circles. The Plane of a 'Great Circles ' 'cut' the sphere into two equally sized hemispheres. NB Other than the Equator all the latitudes are NOT great Circles.


Why is the equator the only parallel that is a great circle?

The equator is the only parallel that is a great circle because it is centered on the Earth's axis of rotation. This means that it divides the Earth into two equal hemispheres and its circumference is the maximum possible for a circle on the Earth's surface. Other parallels are smaller circles and not great circles.


The body that's circles the earth is called?

The body that circles the Earth is called the Moon.


Why are the equator and all lines of longitude called great circles?

The equator and all lines of longitude are called great circles because the represent the circumference of the earth. The other latitude lines along the globe are smaller then the actually circumference.


How are the earth moon and sun related to each other?

The moon circles around the earth; the earth circles around the sun.


All points on the surface of earth that have latitude circles that are not zero are known as what circles?

Small circles


What is the plane that cuts the earth surface and passes through the center?

The plane that cuts the Earth's surface and passes through its center is called the "great circle." A great circle divides the Earth into two equal hemispheres and represents the shortest path between two points on the surface. The equator and all lines of longitude are examples of great circles. These circles are crucial in navigation and geography for determining distances and directions.


Why is the equator called the great circles?

The reason they call the equator the great circle is because circles the whole earth in the middle.becase its the only line that runs in the centre of the earth and goes right arround . {nickstar}


Any two points on the surface of earth that are located on one of these great circles and is located in the same hemisphere will have the same?

The answer is Longitude.