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Большой круг

Определение

Окружность на сфере, центр которой совпадает с центром сферы; задаёт кратчайший путь между двумя точками на поверхности.

Объяснение

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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