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Yes, if you are talking about two points on earth's surface. The great circle can be thought of as roughly similar to a circle of longitude, or to the equator. It is the largest circle on the globe that can be drawn containing the two points in question. Why is this important? Consider the fact that the larger a circle becomes, the closer a section of the circle resembles a straight line. If you imagine a circle that is infinitely large, you would not be able to distinguish a section of it from a straight line drawn between the end-points. So when you have drawn the largest circle you can that contains two points on earth, you have come as close as you can to approximating a straight line between them (without digging). To people who are not familiar with this idea, seeing a 'great circle route' drawn out on a Mercator projection seems impossible. Map projections have to sacrifice some important detail, because you cannot map a three-dimensional globe onto a two dimensional surface.

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What is the shortest route between 2 points on the surface of a planet?

The shortest route between two points on the surface of a planet, when routes are limited to the planet's surface, is the arc of the great circle that connects the two points. The shortest route between two points anywhere, without regard to intervening matter or energy preventing the route from being followed, is always the line connecting the two points.


What is the shortest distance around the world?

If you mean by the words "direct route" the shortest distance between two places, distances between two places are shortest at the equator, because of the shape of the planet. If you mean which direction should be traveled to minimize distance, the route taken should be as straight a line as possible.


What is the shortest distance between 2 places on the globe?

a straight line ^Wrong. A straight line is NOT the shortest distance between two places when you're on a globe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_circle This is mathematically proven using calculus. Another way to prove this is to take a globe, and get some string. Pick two points, and make a straight line with the string to measure the distance. Cut off the extra string so you are using the exact amount needed for a straight line. Now, use the great circle, and you will be able to reach the same point, and have extra string left over, proving that the great circle is shorter than the straight line.


Why great-circle routes are commonly used in navigation?

Great-circle routes are the shortest distance between two points on a sphere, making them the most efficient for long-distance navigation. They also help conserve fuel by reducing the total distance traveled. Additionally, great-circle routes are utilized by aircraft to take advantage of the Earth's curvature for faster travel times.


What is the distance in miles between the Arctic circle and the Tropic of Capricorn?

The distance between the Arctic Circle and the Tropic of Capricorn is approximately 6,215 miles (10,000 kilometers).

Related Questions

What is the distance between two sides of a circle called?

The longest distance across a circle is its diameter and the shortest distance is a minor chord


Shortest distance between two points on the earth?

The two points and the centre of the earth define a plane, and the intersection of this plane with the surface of the earth is a circle - the "Great Circle". The shortest distance between the two points is the smaller of the two arcs on this circle.


Shortest distance between Juneau Alaska and arctic Circle?

about 565 miles


What is the shortest distance between Juneau Alaska and the Arctic Circle?

about 565 miles


What is distance distance between two points?

In plane geometry, the shortest distance between two points is a line. In spherical geometry, the shortest distance between two points is a segment of a great circle. The distance between one point and another is known as the displacement.


What is the distance between two points?

In plane geometry, the shortest distance between two points is a line. In spherical geometry, the shortest distance between two points is a segment of a great circle. The distance between one point and another is known as the displacement.


What is the shortest distance of the earth?

a circle


What is the distant around the circle?

The distance around a circle is its circumference.


What is the distance between kampala and Nairobi?

Great circle (shortest direct) = 315 miles (506 km)


The shortest distance from the center of the inscribed circle to the triangle's sides is the circle's?

radius


What is shortest distance between two points?

If they are in the same plane then it is the length of the straight line joining them. If they are not in a plane then things get complicated. On the surface of the earth (a sphere), the shortest distance is an arc along the great circle. The great circle is a circle whose centre is the centre of the earth and which passes through the two places. This is why New York to Tokyo flights go over the Arctic region. With polyhedra, one way to find the shortest distance is to mark the two points on a net the shape. If you can draw a straight line between the points such that all of it is on the net, then that is the shortest distance. You may need to play around with different nets.


What is the shortest most direct route between any two points on te surface of the earth?

Assuming the earth to be a perfect sphere, the shortest distance is an arc of the great circle. The two places and the centre of the earth define a plane. The great circle is the circle formed by the intersection of that plane and the surface of the earth. The shortest route between the two places is the smaller of the two arcs along that circle.