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大圏

定義

球上の円で、その中心が球の中心と一致するもの。球面上の2点間の最短経路を表す。

解説

On Earth, great circles include the equator and all lines of longitude. A flight from Los Angeles to London appears to arc northward over Greenland on a flat map — that path is actually shorter than flying due east because it follows a great circle. The concept is essential to aviation route planning; flying a great-circle route between distant cities can save hundreds of kilometers and significant fuel.

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